April is Earth Month. We all know that climate change is here and that we need to do our part to mitigate its effects. But where to start? Here in the north, we’re fortunate to have reThink Green’s Green Economy North program in place to help lead the way to a greener future for all.
reThink Green is now accepting applications to join the next cohort of companies to participate in its Green Economy North Program. There is still time to participate if you don’t delay.
Simon Blakeley, Regional Manager and Program Development & Government Relations for reThink Green kindly shared the information below with us, and rather than edit it, we’re sharing it in full so that you have the complete picture.
From reThink Green:
CLIMATE SCIENCE
In 2015, a new global agreement on Climate Change was signed in Paris at COP21 (‘The Conference of the Parties’).
There, global leaders made the commitment ‘To keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels’ (based upon 1990) levels)’; and
‘To pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C’ – recognizing this would substantially reduce the risks, impacts and uncertainties resulting from climate change.
Fast forward to 2018, and an International Panel on Climate Change Report (IPCC) Report stated: ‘Global emissions of Carbon Dioxide must peak by 2020 to keep the planet below 1.5C’.
However, we now know that our Total Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions ONLY ‘plateaued’ during 2020 (despite the lockdowns) before starting to rise again in 2021 and 2022.
reThink Green produced Two (2) Regional Energy and Emissions Plans in 2021, which created baseline estimates of the current annual average emissions arising from 25 different Municipalities, Townships and First Nations on Manitoulin Island and the North Shore. This information was entered into Climate Modelling Software, which indicated Northern Ontario could be disproportionately affected by Climate Change – seeing an estimated annual avg. increase in temperature of between 3-4°C by the end of this Century (based upon a ‘business as usual’ scenario).
The predicted effects of our changing climate here in Northern Ontario include unpredictable and extreme weather patterns causing:
- Warmer winters – with severe ice storms, frequent freeze/melt, ice damming, more accidents, and damage to infrastructure; and
- Wetter summers – with increased rainfall, flooding, erosion, airborne diseases, droughts, heatwaves, and frequent energy blackouts.
CANADIAN CONTEXT
The Federal Government has made commitments to reduce its total emissions by between 40-45% by 2030, based upon 2005 emission levels.
More recently, the Government of Canada committed to banning the production and sale of gas-powered combustion engine vehicles, so all new Canadian Vehicles will eventually be Net Zero Emissions, including:
- ALL NEW Light-Duty Vehicle Sales by 2035;
And that the Government shall work towards ensuring:
- ALL NEW Medium-and-Heavy-Duty Vehicle sales are Zero Emissions by 2040.
The Transportation Sector alone accounts for up to 25% of Canada’s Total Emissions – with a further 26% arising from the production and distribution of Crude Oil/Petroleum, and other Fossil Fuels.
Therefore achieving low emissions within the Transportation Sector is recognized as being a key strategic priority on our Road to Net Zero.
This goal will only be reached through an increase in the adoption of Battery Electric Vehicles, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies; and a modal shift towards more transit, car-pooling, active transportation and teleworking, etc.
And, all of these shifts have the potential to create new significant well-paying jobs here in Northeastern Ontario!
THE MINING SUPPLY & SERVICES SECTOR
Mining can (and should) play a crucial role in our transition to a low carbon economy.
Our Net-Zero future requires mined minerals and metals – so a global revolution in clean technology can be fully realized.
But looking beyond this:
Setting energy and greenhouse gas emissions performance targets for your business, and reporting on them annually – is an increasingly crucial piece in this effort.
Vale, Glencore, and other major mining Corporations, have set ambitious Green House Gas Emission Reduction Targets, and in the near future will continue to lean on you – their Scope 3 Emissions – to help them make further reductions. This change in practices is also now being reflected in procurement decisions, both Nationally and Internationally, among some of our main trading partners.
Global Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanisms – involving the application of Tariffs – are also now being introduced between Countries, which aim to eliminate Carbon leakage across borders.
GREEN ECONOMY NORTH PROGRAM
The Green Economy North Program is designed to support businesses, non-profits, and public sector-funded organizations here in Northeastern Ontario as they:
- Measure their Footprint
- Manage their Energy Consumption
- Reduce their Total Emissions, AND
- Save on Costs!
As a team, we:
- Deliver technical, advisory, and research-based programming
- Organize business and community-oriented events
- Encourage knowledge-sharing & collaboration among our network; and
- Recognize and celebrate the progress made by our members
In practical terms, we train you on how ‘to do’ carbon accounting – helping you quantify your carbon footprint as a Carbon Dioxide (Co2) equivalent measurement.
Once that information is known, and has been presented to you: we delve deeper, and assist you in producing action plans, and setting science-based targets to credibly reduce your emissions over time.
Green Economy North actually forms a ‘hub’ within the wider Green Economy Canada network – which serves communities and regions across Canada.
To date, the Green Economy Canada network has engaged over 300 businesses, set more than 70 emission reduction targets, and secured commitments to reduce Green House Gases by more than 200,000 Tonnes.
As a designated ‘hub’, Green Economy North is responsible for guiding northern Ontario-based members through our tried-and-tested 4-Step ‘Milestone process’ – which takes approximately 18 months to complete. We also recognize our members success through media releases, social media shout-outs, case studies, and celebrate individual achievements at our annual Sustainability Awards – which takes place next week! Registration details HERE.
EXCLUSIVE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Green Economy North also recently introduced its New Microgrant Program, through which, program members can exclusively access funding of up to $5000 to cover a maximum of 50% of costs.
Funding can be applied towards a wide range of innovative project-based solutions including equipment, materials, external labour, and planning-related activities that reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
Our partners at Green Economy Canada have also introduced an EV Charger Incentive Program which provides funding of up to $100,000 to cover a maximum of 50% of costs. (Please note: the intake for the EV Charger Incentive program is currently closed, but we do expect it to open up again later this Spring / Summer).
HOW TO JOIN
Businesses and organizations interested in joining our growing network of Green Economy Leaders, are invited to complete the Membership Inquiry Form on our website at:
www.rethinkgreen.ca/green-economy-north
Quotes for annual membership fees are dependent on the relative size of each business or organization. Members will pay an annual fee to be part of the program.
Annual membership fees are based on a chart, produced by reThink Green, which accounts for:
- The Total Floor Space Area* (Sq Ft.) of assets owned and/or leased; and
- The Total Full Time Equivalent* (FTE) Number of Employees – employed by the Business, Organization, Municipality, Township, or First Nation Community.
*We will require this information to produce individual quotes for memberships.
The deadline for members to complete the form, join the program, and participate in the next cohort is: Thursday, 27th April 2023 @ NOON EDT.
Schedule a 30 minute appt. to learn more about our programs and services:
Green Economy North | Smart Green Communities
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