Celebrating Green Economy Leaders

Businesses in Green Economy Hubs are making big strides toward setting and achieving sustainability targets. Over the last few months, each Hub has been celebrating local sustainability leaders through recognition events. These events connect, recognize, and celebrate businesses — Green Economy Leaders — demonstrating that sustainability and success go hand-in-hand.


Making Connections

Green Economy North in Sudbury had locally made award plaques for five winners. Waub Rice, host of CBC’s Up North and local environmental advocate, hosted the evening

The energy and urgency to take climate action at the local level is matched by the growing national momentum to increase economic sustainability. Each Hub celebrated their businesses with local flair, bringing out environmental advocates, businesses, and government representatives.


Awarding Achievements

At Sustainable Kingston’s Evening of Recognition, St. Lawrence College, a member since 2016, earned the Greatest GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Reduction award. St. Lawrence College has reduced 50.9 GHGs through projects including the largest solar roof-top installation of any post-secondary institution in Canada. Patricia Kerth, CFO, and Treasurer to the Board of Governors at St. Lawrence College accepted the award presented by Kristin Mullin, Executive Director, Sustainable Kingston.

Green Economy Leaders are taking action and getting results: reducing GHGs, making changes to reduce water and waste, and setting ambitious sustainability targets.


Sparking Action

At Carbon 613’s Biz4Good Mixer in Ottawa, OpenConcept received this year’s Rocket Launch award for their enthusiasm and commitment to projects that reduce their carbon impact, most recently renovating their basement with new insulation and energy-efficient windows. Mike Gifford from OpenConcept (centre) spoke to attendees about the significant carbon impact of the internet and IT sector, and what you can do to start educating yourself about and reducing your digital carbon footprint.


In addition to the recognition events, the progress of each Green Economy Leader is reported back to the local community each year through Hub year-end reports, which both celebrate businesses for progress and hold them accountable for continued sustainability action.

Leading the Low-Carbon Future

This year, Sustainable Waterloo Region celebrated over a decade of leading regional progress towards a low-carbon future. 


Demonstrating Progress

Green Economy Leader progress at ClimateWise Business Network in York Region. Ebenezer United Church has developed a greenhouse gas inventory to measure their environmental impact. Next up, they will create an action plan for achieving reductions. Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has set a GHG reduction target of 28% below 2016 baseline by 2026 and is tracking progress toward it. 


Connecting the Community

Sustainable Hamilton Burlington quantified the reach of their local sustainability movement by celebrating the cross-section of community engagement that drives local businesses to measure progress and publicly report results on GHGs, waste, water, and the B Impact Assessment. Whether its businesses, educational institutions, students, volunteers, or the general public, everyone has a chance to lend their support to changing business as usual. 

We’re excited to see what incredible steps current and new Green Economy Leaders will take over the next year and to support their journey.

If you’re a business that wants to realize the benefits of going green, contact your local Green Economy Hub to get started.

Learn more about results achieved at each Green Economy Hub over the last year:

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