Green Business Committee | Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Mission Statement:
Acknowledging a changing world, the Green Business Committee seeks to find and promote the appropriate balance between the economic, environmental and social aspects of the community to ensure sustainability for current and future generations. More and more businesses wish to incorporate sustainable “green” practices in their day-to-day operations. The Green Business Committee aims to assist these businesses with education, support and recognition through workshops to educate Chamber members.

IT PAYS TO BE GREEN

Green Business is a widely used term that has come to mean taking into consideration the social, economic and environmental aspects of our actions, as well as recognizing the inter-relationships between these aspects. Green Business includes protecting our environment and preserving natural habitats and biodiversity, but it is also about promoting a healthy and engaged society and thriving along-side a thriving economy. Green Business requires balancing opportunities and constraints, and taking a long-term view so that we are able to reach our maximum potential now and future generations are able to do the same.

Voted Committee of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2013 (under Sustainability Committee)

Green Business Committee Goals:

Promote, support and educate Chamber members on the appropriate balance between the economic, environmental and social aspects of the community to ensure sustainability for current and future generations.
Conduct an Eco Tour for the Fall 2019.
Organize the Green Business Expo 2020 to coincide with Earth Month activities in Carlsbad – expanding our attendance by combining the event with the Happy Hour 2.0 in the month of April and changing venues with higher foot traffic.

The Green Business Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber office. This committee does not meet in the month of July.

Green Business Committee Upcoming 2019 Presentations:

August 13, 2019: Going Green and the Many Benefits Electric Vehicles offer the environment and your business

Join us for an informative session on Electric Vehicles, and their impact on your business. Learn about the role SDGE has played in the buildout of charging stations for EVs in the past, and the future plans of SDGE to bring charging infrastructure throughout San Diego County, and why you might want to consider having an EV charging station near your business.

Presenters: Simon Freedman – Electric Auto Association and Megan Rigby – SDGE

September 10, 2019: Water Conservation in Today’s Water Crisis

Water is the most important element for life on this planet. Yet, every day, we pour it down the drain, spill it onto our streets, and dump it into the ocean. Additionally, when discussing sustainability, most people focus on energy solutions such as electric vehicles and solar, instead of water, not realizing that, in California, over 12% of our electricity is used to move and manage water and wastewater. Learn why conserving water is so critical to California’s continued growth and what both individuals and businesses can start doing today to conserve this precious resource.

Presenter: A.J. van de Ven – Calsense

October 8, 2019: Daylighting for Success – Maximizing Human Health, Satisfaction, AND Corporate Profitability

Successful sustainable buildings rely on the artful integration of daylight to create environments that are energy- and resource-efficient while also nurturing the occupants within. When properly integrated into an energy-efficient building, daylight can largely displace the need for using costly electric lighting during daylight hours. Learn how harnessing daylight, as a light source, can significantly increase a corporation’s energy efficiency and profitability while also uniquely benefiting human psychology, physiology, productivity, and health.

Presenter: Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES, Vice President – Solatube International, Inc.

November 12, 2019: ECO TOUR 2019 | 8 – 11am

Join us as we visit two Carlsbad Chamber businesses – Viasat, Inc. and ZUZA LLC – who have adopted sustainable best practices throughout their company. Learn firsthand what they did and how it is making their business prosper. Click here to register!

December 10, 2019: Conscious Investing

Learn about the benefits of incorporating environmental and social analysis to the investment decision making process and the research that shows how this approach has a positive correlation to financial returns. There is a great opportunity for businesses and individuals to potentially improve financial returns while also improving ecological health and propelling social progress forward. You will learn about the history, trends, momentum and impact of conscious investing and about the resources available to help you align your environmental and social values with your portfolio. The future we invest in is the future we create.

Presenter: Scott Smith – Conscious Investments Services, LLC

COMMITTEE OFFICERS

“I help businesses everyday through my job at Waste Management to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Rethink what steps they can take to reduce their carbon footprint, while helping their bottom line. Being involved in the Green Business Committee allows me to collaborate with others to assist Chamber members realize their sustainable goals and manage their bottom lines.”
Lori Somers, ChairWaste Management

“I participate in the Green Business Committee because I take pride in running an environmentally conscious business. The more I can learn about how to operate a green business and how I can help other business owners to do the same is truly impactful for me. I also appreciate having direct contact with the city of Carlsbad’s Climate Action Planning team because they are also members of this committee.”
Marcy Browe, SecretaryMarcy Browe Photography

The Green Business Committee is open to ALL Carlsbad Chamber members.

Carlsbad Chamber staff liaison: Carolina Alban-Stoughton

For more information or to join the committee, please call at (760) 931-8400 ext. 209. If you would like to receive meeting agendas and notices, please e-mail Carolina Alban-Stoughton.