A SPECIAL INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL
OCTOBER 2, 2007
A climate for action

CLEAN, GREEN OPTIONS FOR SALE

Service providers step up with climate solutions

Could your company buy its way to emissions reduction nirvana? A growing collection of service providers is ready to show you how.

Toronto-based Zerofootprint made headlines earlier this year when it announced a partnership with Air Canada that enables passengers to buy offsets that negate the emissions associated with their air travel. Yet, Zerofootprint’s services extend well beyond offsets.

Zerofootprint executive director Deborah Kaplan says the organization offers companies a total GHG solution through services ranging from an audit of CO2 emissions associated with operations, products and services to making recommendations and presenting programs that enable companies to reduce or otherwise offset the CO2 emissions as well as package and sell carbon credits.

“We encourage companies to do what they can to cut their emissions as deeply as possible through process improvements and other changes, and then offset the remainder. This means changes. It also means putting a price on carbon.”

When it comes to offsets, Ms. Kaplan says Zerofootprint sources and invests in renewable energy, reforestation and other offset projects that meet clients’ needs.

She adds, “Importantly, we also help companies engage their employees around climate change.

“Once we all start pricing the environment into our purchases, we’ll have taken the first step towards decisive change.”

In Ontario and Alberta, Bullfrog Power, which invests in renewable energy projects, offers companies an easy way to procure clean energy.

Who’s buying? Wal-Mart Canada is not only one of Bullfrog’s biggest customers, it is now the nation’s largest commercial purchaser of clean energy, a status that reflects only part of Wal-Mart’s green efforts.

Bullfrog Power president Tom Heintzman says, “I am impressed at the openness that businesses have shown towards renewables; companies like RBC, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Wal-Mart, Cadbury, as well as small companies making the switch.”

Meanwhile, in addition to its work with Air Canada, Zerofootprint counts Rotman School of Business, Mount Sinai Hospital, Kinross Gold and other companies on its roster.

Energy innovator Energy innovator
Distribution company explores clean alternatives
Pacific green energy initiative Pacific green energy initiative
A home for clean energy to grow
Clean, green options for sale Clean, green options for sale
Service providers step up with climate solutions
Article Index
A climate for action »
Financial risks of climate change prompt calls for disclosure »

"Aspirational" targets: Déjà vu all over again »

Business planning in a carbon-constrained world »

Cutting GHG emissions one building at a time »

Real estate leaders pushing boundaries »

Carbon finance and responsible investment »

Incentives and assistance tempt organizations seeking higher standard »

Bad energy policies a threat »

Emission reduction pathways advance »

Low-emission E3 Fleets hit the road »
This Special Information
Supplement is sponsored by:

GM Canada
Suncor Energy
Enbridge
Power Workers Union
Canadian Standards Association
Catalyst
Bennett Jones LLP
Cadillac Fairview
GWL Realty Advisors
Plasco Energy Group
Real Pac
University of Guelph
Click here to view the PDF Read the full report as it appeared in
The Globe and Mail

GM Canada Suncor Enbridge Power Workers Union Canadian Standards Association Catalyst Bennett Jones LLP Cadillac Fairview GWL Realty Advisors Plasco Energy Group Real Pac University of Guelph