Introduction As the issue of climate change becomes more pressing, it’s important to consider how our use of electricity impacts the environment. In 2022, the production of heat and electricity saw a peak in emissions growth, increasing by 1.8%. To address this, we need to examine our current electricity consumption and find ways to reduce emissions in our businesses. Measuring your electricity consumption Emissions from electricity consumption are considered Scope 2 emissions as they are indirect emissions that come from another source. Even though these emissions are generated elsewhere, you ..read more

Introduction Canada’s transportation sector is a major contributor to the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It accounts for approximately 26% of the country’s total emissions and is the largest emitting sector in Ontario. Let’s take a look at how business operations are creating emissions from transportation and what actions they can take to reduce their footprint. The Scope of Transportation Emissions in Canada When measuring a business’s carbon footprint, it’s important to understand the scope of GHG emissions – Scope 1, 2 and 3. Scope 1 emissions refer to the direct emissions from a ..read more

Introduction In Canada, buildings are the third largest contributor to emissions. Residential, commercial and administrative buildings currently account for 17% of Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This figure jumps to nearly 30% when you include emissions from building materials and construction. Building emissions can be categorised as Scope 1 (direct, i.e. from heating or generators) or Scope 2 (indirect i.e., from electricity consumption). Reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions can significantly decrease a building’s carbon footprint and doesn’t necessarily require expensive and complex s ..read more

Please welcome Brody Bell, the creator of this month’s blog with 6 ways to reduce your environmental impact over the holidays in your personal and professional lives. A Green Holiday Season The holiday season brings good times and traditions for many, but these are also accompanied by increased amounts of waste and energy consumption. Here are 6 tips that you can implement in your personal and professional lives this holiday season to help reduce your environmental impact.  Personal Tips Christmas Tree If a Christmas tree is part of your holiday celebration, how you use it will ..read more

Please welcome Brody Bell, the creator of this month’s blog about Canada’s Net-Zero Emissions goals and the role of businesses. The Importance of Net-Zero Emissions Net-Zero Emissions can be defined as achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions produced and greenhouse gas emissions taken out of the atmosphere. Over 120 countries, including Canada, have committed to achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050. Approximately 768 businesses also agreed to reach the same goal by 2050. This is an important goal, as it was determined that the planet must become Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 to k ..read more

Please welcome Emily Zabanah, the creator of this month’s blog about setting sustainability goals for the new year. The start of a new year offers an opportunity to consider the positive changes that can be made to change the way business is run. With growing external and internal demand, the development of long-term value for stakeholders through environmental stewardship and improved social development is an area that businesses are putting more focus towards.  However, with lack of strategy, a disconnect between sustainability and business, and misconceptions among management of be ..read more

Please welcome Jordyn Divok, a devoted team member of Sustainable Hamilton Burlington and the Sustainability Leadership Program who is our guest blogger for this month’s post reflecting on this month’s theme of supporting local. As a geography grad, I’ve been a part of many conversations about “space” and “place” – and believe it or not, no, they are not the same thing. In geography, “space” is a term that does not just explain where, for instance, economic activities exist, but can also help explain why those activities happen where they do (Coe et al, 2012). One of the four concepts ..read more

                                                          Climate Change Considerations… Please welcome Nathan Schaper, a devoted volunteer of Sustainable Hamilton Burlington and the Sustainability Leadership Program who is our guest blogger for this month’s post reflecting on why your business should care about climate resilience. What if you could prevent tomorrow’s disasters? And what if you could protect your business from risks of t ..read more

Created by: Ania PItula, a team member of Sustainable Hamilton Burlington and the Sustainability Leadership Program.                                 Employee, Small Business Owner, CEO, Founder, Manager…  We were all affected by COVID-19 in the last year. More than ever before, we have been required to slow down and reminded that it is our collective responsibility to reassess the ways in which we live and work in order to create a resilient future.               ..read more

Please welcome Jordyn Divok, a devoted team member of Sustainable Hamilton Burlington and the Sustainability Leadership Program who is our guest blogger for this month’s post reflecting on building business resiliency. Hindsight is 20/20. A common phrase to dictate that you don’t know what might happen until it happens, where being unprepared for the ramifications is an accepted reality. Your business should refuse to accept this, and here’s why. Currently, businesses operate under a business-as-usual model, focusing on improving efficiency at the cost of resiliency when “business-as-usu ..read more