BY MIKE GRIM
Climate Action Plan Administrator
CITY OF CARLSBAD
Studies have shown that more and more consumers seek to do business locally with businesses that respect the environment. That is one reason why the City of Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce are proud to continually partner to encourage our local business community to consider the environment when making business decisions. Long-term sustainability is vital for our future, and the city and Chamber’s Green Business Committee have worked diligently with local businesses to strike the right balance among economic, environmental and social interests.
To help in this endeavor the city recently established the Carlsbad Green Business Network, which works with small and medium-sized businesses to build a strong economy through environmental sustainability. Participating in the network will help our local businesses to create healthier and more livable communities while conserving resources and saving money.
The Carlsbad Green Business Network is part of the statewide California Green Business Network, which encompasses more than 4,000 businesses in 40 cities. The City of Carlsbad is the first city in San Diego County to join. The California Green Business Network links together local programs operated by counties and cities throughout California to build a strong community of environmentally conscious businesses.
“The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is committed to helping our members and businesses in general increase their sustainable business practices,” said Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber.
“Our Green Business Committee and our Green Business Expo both champion this effort on an ongoing basis, and we ourselves are currently pursuing our Green Business Certification. Our entire staff is committed to doing whatever we can to keep Mother Earth healthy,” Schanzenbach said.
Practicing sustainability may be easier than you think, and it often helps your bottom line. Getting certified as a green business shows your community and customers that you care about the environment and are committed to a sustainable future.
Reducing water consumption through low-flow devices saves both money and resources. Upgrading lighting to energy-saving fixtures can help cut costs over the long term. Reducing waste, using environmentally friendly cleaning products and cutting down on the use of toxic chemicals can help your business and your community.
If your business is committed to sustainability, it’s easy to get certified through our local administrator with whom the city has contracted Environmental Innovations, Inc.
Go to the California Green Business Network website and click the “Get Certified” button to start the process. After you’ve filled out the application someone from Environmental Innovations will contact you to arrange a visit and discuss the program.
Certified Green businesses exceed all environmental regulations and implement specific practices to reduce pollution, save water and energy, and protect human health. As a certified business you will receive personal attention from the public agencies and utilities that serve you and gain access to promotions, financing and rebate programs that can help you go green.
Joining the Carlsbad Green Business Network also provides a way to market your business as an environmentally friendly business that cares about your local community. Once your business is certified, the Carlsbad Green Business Network will promote you as an environmentally friendly business committed to sustainability, and businesses in the network help each other by attracting and referring customers.
The California Green Business Network is making great strides in creating healthier communities. Here are some accomplishments to date:
• Reduction of more than 800,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of planting over 40,000 urban acres of trees every year for ten years
• Conservation of enough kilowatt-hours to power 25,000 houses for an entire year
• Diversion of more than 400,000 metric tons of waste from landfills, eliminating approximately 60,000 garbage truck trips
• Conservation of 124 million gallons of water
• Elimination of 28,000 gallons of hazardous waste
In December, the city approved an agreement by which it can receive a $30,000 grant from the California Environmental Protection Agency to help launch our Green Business Network. Our goal is to enroll 15 businesses by the end of February to receive the grant. Carlsbad is committed to an environmentally sustainable future, and the Carlsbad Green Business Network is another tool to help us achieve that end.
We look forward to welcoming you and your business to the City of Carlsbad’s Green Business Network community.