Ottawa, February 22, 2016 – Ontario’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has announced it will be investing $1 million from the Green Investment Fund to help businesses reduce emissions, manage energy costs and remain competitive as the province transitions to a low-carbon economy. The province is partnering with Sustainability CoLab to fund local environmental organizations in the CoLab Network to support businesses in communities across Ontario in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Ontario’s new $325 million Green Investment Fund commits money for projects that fight climate change. These investments are part of the government’s plan for securing a healthy, clean and prosperous low-carbon future by transforming the way we live, move, work and adapt to our environment while ensuring strong, sustainable communities.
EnviroCentre’s Carbon 613 is one of seven organizations across Ontario that help businesses set and achieve targets to reduce their environmental impacts while enhancing their competitive advantage and stimulating the low-carbon economy.
“Carbon 613 is a program that makes good business sense and fits well within EnviroCentre’s mandate. The provincial investment will increase our program’s ability to provide our current and future network members with direct support that will not only reduce their operational carbon footprint but improve their bottom line. With six participating organizations taking the lead in our program, we look forward to increasing membership with this investment.”
– Michael Murr, Executive Director, EnviroCentre
“This game-changing investment from the government of Ontario will support non-profits in the CoLab Network, like EnviroCentre, that are creating hubs for the low-carbon economy across the province. It will accelerate their efforts to help businesses track their emissions, set and achieve targets to reduce them, and be celebrated for progress made.”
– Mike Morrice, Executive Director, Sustainability CoLab
“Successfully fighting climate change while fostering a dynamic and prosperous economy requires a collective effort from government, people, industries and businesses of all sizes. This investment enables local environmental organizations to work with small and medium-sized businesses in the community on innovative, sustainable and practical ways to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.”
– Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Quick Facts
- CoLab Network includes non-profit organizations launching or growing programs to engage businesses in growing the low-carbon economy in Durham Region, Hamilton-Burlington, Kingston, Niagara Region, Ottawa, Sudbury, Waterloo Region and York Region.
- In just 10 years, Ontario has become a North American leader in the development, use and manufacturing of clean energy.
- In May 2015, Ontario became the first province in Canada to set a mid-term greenhouse gas pollution reduction target of 37 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030.
- Green Investment Fund projects also include: more electric vehicle fast-charging stations, energy retrofits for single family homes and affordable housing, and support for industry and small and medium sized businesses.
Learn more
Green Investment Fund
Ontario Climate Change Strategy
Sustainability CoLab
Ontario’s Business Growth Initiative
For more information, please contact:
Jon-Erik Lappano, Network & Communications Manager
Sustainability CoLab
519-603-8996
sustainabilitycolab.org
Carol Burnup, Senior Communications Specialist
EnviroCentre
613-656-0100 ext. 130
envirocentre.ca/carbon613