Deloitte and Ernst & Young Sign on as the Newest Members of Sustainable Waterloo’s Regional Carbon Initiative
June 14, 2010
Waterloo Region, June 14, 2010 – Sustainable Waterloo,
a not-for-profit working to advance the environmental sustainability of
organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration, is pleased to
announce two prominent members of the accounting industry – Deloitte and Ernst
& Young - as the newest members of the Regional Carbon Initiative (RCI).
The RCI facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions in member organizations across the Region. This announcement
brings total RCI membership to 24 organizations.
Both
Deloitte and Ernst & Young have joined as Bronze Pledging Partners, committing
to a 20 percent absolute reduction in their GHG emissions across operations in
Waterloo Region over the next 10 years. The commitments of both organizations
will mean emission reductions in their Kitchener
offices. Both organizations have agreed to incorporate a number of optional RCI
Reduction Framework GHG emission sources, such as personal vehicle business
travel, employee commuting, waste, and water. Ernst & Young’s commitment
follows their previous support as a Founding Partner of Sustainable Waterloo.
Adam Burke,
Southwestern Ontario Managing Partner at Deloitte, highlights that
participation within the RCI is only one facet of Deloitte’s broader
sustainability efforts. “Deloitte is proud to align our firm’s strategic
objectives with those of Sustainable Waterloo and other organizations in the
Region. Our commitment is consistent with Deloitte’s five-year national
sustainability strategy. We believe that sustainability is sound business
practice and helps us to improve our performance, our client’s businesses, and
our commitment to the global environment,” he says.
Greg
McCauley, Southwestern Ontario Managing Partner at Ernst & Young, advocates
that having an environmental sustainability plan and working collaboratively
with partners is a business imperative: “We at Ernst & Young are eager to
begin this next phase of our collaboration with Sustainable Waterloo and to
reach our reduction target. We are confident that, with Sustainable Waterloo’s
tools and support, we will not only reduce our environmental impact but also
reap the many benefits of fostering a proactive environmental business
strategy. Ernst & Young is setting an important example for other firms
within the industry to begin to understand that the environment and sustainability
should be a top priority across the entire business community,” he says.
“It is
encouraging to see the collaborative spirit of these two organizations in
jointly signing on as Pledging Partners of the RCI,” says Mike Morrice,
Sustainable Waterloo’s Executive Director. “Embracing measurable efforts
towards improving the sustainability of their operations in Waterloo Region not
only builds on the existing community of organizations working towards similar
goals, but it also sends an important message: That organizations of all sizes
and sectors across our Region are increasingly willing to hold themselves
accountable to voluntary public GHG reduction goals, while working together and
learning from one another to achieve them.”
This
announcement coincides with the first anniversary of the launch of the RCI.
Sustainable Waterloo
will be holding its final event of the 2009-2010 event season, a technical
workshop on Financial Incentive Programs, on June 16th at the
Cambridge Hotel. For more information or to register, visit www.sustainablewaterloo.org/events.
About
Sustainable Waterloo
Sustainable
Waterloo is a
not-for-profit that advances the environmental sustainability of organizations
across Waterloo Region through collaboration. The current work of Sustainable
Waterloo is focused on the Regional Carbon Initiative For a list of all 24
members of the Regional Carbon Initiative, please visit www.sustainablewaterloo.org/members.
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Sustainable Waterloo Publishes 2009 Report to Recognize Quantified Carbon Commitments across Waterloo Region
March 23, 2010
Waterloo Region; March 23, 2010 – Sustainable Waterloo is pleased to announce the publication of its 2009 Report, titled “Celebrating Carbon Commitments”.
Report Highlights
Following the launch of the Regional Carbon Initiative last June, by the end of 2009 Sustainable Waterloo had confirmed 10 member organizations across Waterloo Region. Of these members, six have joined as “Pledging Partners” and publicly committed to the following voluntary, 10-year greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction commitments:
- Enermodal Engineering, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction (“carbon neutral”)
- VeriForm Inc, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction (“carbon neutral”)
- XCG Consultants, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction (“carbon neutral”)
- Athena Software, Bronze Pledging Partner: 20% intensity-based reduction (i.e. 20% reduction per employee)
- Mennonite Central Committee, Bronze Pledging Partner: 20% absolute reduction
- Pano Cap Canada, Bronze Pledging Partner: 20% absolute reduction
Collectively, these members have committed to reduce 1,243 tonnes of GHG emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 212 cars off the road each year. To-date, these members have reported total GHG reductions of 154 tonnes.
Reduction projects to-date have been diverse, including:
- Investing in energy efficiency via lighting and HVAC upgrades
- Lowering travel demands by purchasing and implementing teleconferencing solutions
- Upgrading and moving into facilities that meet LEED building standards.
Report Launch: Regional Carbon Initiative Evening of Recognition
The 2009 Report will be launched tonight at Sustainable Waterloo’s first annual Evening of Recognition, a celebration of the commitments and accomplishments of Regional Carbon Initiative member organizations over the past year, as well as the leadership shown collectively by organizations across Waterloo Region.
The Evening of Recognition will be attended by over 200 members of the community and will feature presentations from Mike Morrice, Executive Director of Sustainable Waterloo, Stephen Carpenter, President of Enermodal Engineering, and Brenda Halloran, Mayor of the City of Waterloo, an “Observing Organization” member of the Regional Carbon Initiative. Event speakers are pictured below:
Stephen Carpenter, President of Enermodal Engineering stated, “Enermodal is proud to be a Gold Pledging Partner of the Regional Carbon Initiative. We think it’s important to show our commitment to accountability in the eyes of our community and stakeholders. While we’re glad to have made significant progress in 2009 towards our own ambitious goal to become carbon neutral, we have also enjoyed learning from peers and professionals to collectively work towards improving the environmental sustainability of all Regional Carbon Initiative members.”
After less than one year, Mike Morrice, Executive Director of Sustainable Waterloo, agrees that the Regional Carbon Initiative is off to a strong start. “This report provides a benchmark for the progress made by our members to-date and communicates the environmental commitments and foresight shown by these organizations in 2009. More importantly however, we’re glad that our members have committed to learning from one another and working together to reduce their GHG emissions voluntarily. With this collaborative mentality at the center, these early results are just the beginning for our members and our local business community.”
For a copy of the complete 2009 Report, visit http://www.sustainablewaterloo.org/2009Report.
About Sustainable Waterloo
Sustainable Waterloo is a not-for-profit that advances the environmental sustainability of organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration. The current work of Sustainable Waterloo is focused on the Regional Carbon Initiative, which facilitates voluntary target setting and reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region.
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Sustainable Waterloo Announces Five New Regional Carbon Initiative Members from the Insurance Industry
March 1, 2010
Waterloo Region, Canada; March 1, 2010 – Sustainable Waterloo, a not-for-profit that guides organizations in Waterloo Region towards a more environmentally sustainable future, is pleased to announce five prominent insurance companies with core operations in Waterloo Region as new members of the Regional Carbon Initiative.
The new members are:
- The Economical Insurance Group
- Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan Inc
- Gore Mutual Insurance Company
- Sun Life Financial
- Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan
All five of these companies have signed on as Observing Organizations. As such, these organizations have all made the first step in committing to voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.
The Regional Carbon Initiative facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of GHG emissions in member organizations across Waterloo Region. All Regional Carbon Initiative members are provided with a carbon accounting tool to begin reporting their GHG emissions to Sustainable Waterloo, invitations to quarterly educational forums and technical workshops, a directory of Waterloo Region GHG services professionals, and inclusion in consolidated reporting and public recognition of their achievements, as merited. Observing Organizations either use alternative programs to track and report their carbon emissions or are working towards making formal carbon reduction commitments in future.
“With Waterloo being home to Sun Life’s Canadian division, the Regional Carbon Initiative provides us a great opportunity to leverage a strong local initiative to contribute to the development of an effective enterprise-wide practice,” said Susan Jantzi, Director, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability at Sun Life Financial. “Sustainable Waterloo is an excellent catalyst in furthering a more sustainable future and we are very pleased that through today’s joint insurance company announcement, they are acknowledging the important role our industry can play in contributing to that future.“
In recent years, the implications of climate change on the insurance industry have been identified by scholars and acknowledged by industry experts. Adverse effects on human health and property damage due to more extreme weather events are among some of the identified risks in a 2004 report written by the Swiss Reinsurance Company. Another article that appeared in Science in 2005 stated that: “By developing a better grasp of the physical and business risks…insurers are well-positioned to participate in public-private initiatives to address the causes of climate change and prepare for and adapt to the impacts.” This is exactly where the Regional Carbon Initiative and Sustainable Waterloo fit in.
“We are incredibly excited to announce this joint membership and in doing so, to start working with each of these companies as they begin their journey towards demonstrating local leadership on climate change,” stated Mike Morrice, Sustainable Waterloo’s Executive Director. “We are looking forward to assisting these companies as they move towards readiness to make GHG reduction commitments.”
For a list of all 17 members of the Regional Carbon Initiative – including both Observing Organizations and those that have already made GHG reduction commitments as Pledging Partners - please see www.sustainablewaterloo.org/members.
About Sustainable Waterloo
Sustainable Waterloo is a not-for-profit that guides organizations in Waterloo Region towards a more environmentally sustainable future. To do so, Sustainable Waterloo facilitates collaboration between industry, local government, academia and NGOs. The current work of Sustainable Waterloo is centered on the Regional Carbon Initiative, which supports voluntary target setting and reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region.
Sustainable Waterloo Launches the Regional Carbon Initiative
June 17, 2009
Waterloo Region, Canada; June 17, 2009 – Sustainable Waterloo is pleased to announce the launch of the Regional Carbon Initiative and its first three Pledging Partner organizations. Sustainable Waterloo is a not-for-profit that guides organizations in Waterloo Region towards a more environmentally sustainable future. To do so, Sustainable Waterloo facilitates collaboration between industry, local government, academia and NGOs, with a focus on the high-tech sector.
Last night Sustainable Waterloo hosted 250 guests at its Regional Carbon Initiative Launch Event at the Waterloo Inn. The event included a presentation on incorporating social responsibility into business strategy, an incredible emission reduction case from VeriForm Inc., and the official announcement of both the Regional Carbon Initiative reduction framework and Sustainable Waterloo's first Pledging Partners: Athena Software, Enermodal Engineering and VeriForm Inc.
Organizations that participate in Sustainable Waterloo's Regional Carbon Initiative will commit to a carbon reduction target within a standardized framework. There are two membership options available for the Regional Carbon Initiative. A Pledging Partner makes a public commitment to reduce carbon emissions and is recognized for the achievements associated with its sustainability practices. Observing Organizations have access to the same service offering as Pledging Partners, however do not make their carbon reduction goals public. Pledging Partners commit to a reduction at Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels with 60%, 40% and 20% minimum reductions respectively as the goal over a ten year commitment.
Last night, Sustainable Waterloo's first Pledging Partners were announced as follows:
- Athena Software, Bronze Pledging Partner: 20% intensity-based reduction in 10 years (i.e. 20% reduction per full-time employee)
- Enermodal Engineering, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction ("carbon neutral") in 10 years
- VeriForm, Gold Pledging Partner: 100% absolute reduction ("carbon neutral") in 10 years
"We're incredibly excited not only to officially launch the Regional Carbon Initiative, but also to celebrate the commitments of these three leading organizations in Waterloo Region" says Sustainable Waterloo's Executive Director Mike Morrice. "Our first Pledging Partners have announced ambitious carbon emission reduction goals and we're thrilled to work with them and other organizations in Waterloo Region – particular the high-tech sector - to demonstrate our community's leadership in environmental sustainability."
All Regional Carbon Initiative members will be provided with a carbon accounting and reporting tool, quarterly educational forums and technical workshops, a directory of Waterloo Region environmental services professionals, inclusion in consolidated reporting and public recognition of their achievements, as merited.
Diane Stanley-Horn, Co-founder and Director of Training and Support Services at Athena Software, added her excitement for the Regional Carbon Initiative: "At Athena Software we are commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility, and so participation in Sustainable Waterloo's Regional Carbon Initiative was a perfect opportunity for our company to showcase this with a quantified commitment to reduce our carbon emissions. We're thrilled to be a part of this initiative."
For more information on how organizations participate in the Regional Carbon Initiative, please see "The Guide to the Regional Carbon Initiative", which details the official reduction framework, the reporting procedure, and the GHG accounting methodology that will be used for all Pledging Partners. This document is available for free download on the Sustainable Waterloo website at www.sustainablewaterloo.org/guide. It is the outcome of several months of intensive research and community consultations that involved analysis of industry precedents and climate change science, as well as consultations with key community stakeholders, environmental professionals, and two community-based working groups comprised of representatives from industry, local government, academia and environmental NGOs.
About Sustainable Waterloo
Sustainable Waterloo is a not-for-profit that guides organizations in Waterloo Region towards a more environmentally sustainable future. To do so, Sustainable Waterloo facilitates collaboration between industry, local government, academia and NGOs, with a focus on the high-tech sector. The current work of Sustainable Waterloo is centered on the Regional Carbon Initiative, which supports voluntary target setting and reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region.
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Sustainable Waterloo Launches with Six Founding Partners
June 1, 2009
Waterloo Region, Canada; June 1, 2009 – Sustainable Waterloo is pleased to announce six Founding Partners. As a not-for-profit, Sustainable Waterloo's mandate is to guide businesses in Waterloo Region toward a more environmentally sustainable future.
The collaborative spirit of Waterloo Region is exemplified by Sustainable Waterloo's Founding Partners: Wilfrid Laurier University's CMA Centre for Responsible Organizations, Virtual Causeway, Manulife Financial, Waterloo North Hydro Inc, the City of Kitchener, and Ernst & Young. Each partner contributed $10,000 of initial project funding towards Sustainable Waterloo and the launch of its Regional Carbon Initiative.
"Sustainable Waterloo is a pioneer for active change and dedication to the environment in Waterloo Region. Its vision of collaborating with all sectors demonstrates their keen understanding that cooperation is the first step to change," explains Barry Colbert, Director of Wilfrid Laurier University's CMA Centre for Responsible Organizations.
Virtual Causeway notes that their partnership is an opportunity to unite the high-tech community in a cause that makes business sense. "Sustainability in the environment means sustainability in industry" says Rick Endrulat, President of Virtual Causeway. Endrulat appreciates the enthusiasm and tenacity of Sustainable Waterloo's Executive Director, Mike Morrice. "He is a passionate individual and is very committed to the organization's cause. I have confidence in Mike's ability to make this initiative a success and I look forward to being part of its positive results."
The contributions of Founding Partners have made possible the development of Sustainable Waterloo's Regional Carbon Initiative, which facilitates voluntary target-setting and reductions of carbon emissions in organizations across Waterloo Region. Members of The Regional Carbon Initiative will be provided with a carbon accounting and reporting tool, quarterly educational forums and technical workshops, a directory of Waterloo Region environmental services professionals, and inclusion in consolidated reporting and public recognition, as merited. Through this initiative, the six Founding Partners are helping to showcase Waterloo Region as not just a technologically innovative community, but a forerunner in environmental sustainability as well.
Manulife Canada's President and CEO Paul Rooney agrees: "We're proud to partner with an organization like Sustainable Waterloo and embrace this local, collaborative solution to climate change. Waterloo Region is an entrepreneurial hub and Sustainable Waterloo's innovative business model is one that we're proud to support in order to help foster a healthy and environmentally sustainable community."
Rene Gatien, Waterloo North Hydro's CEO, adds, "In the energy business we are constantly reminded of the environmental consequences of our actions. For this reason we are thrilled to partner with an organization that is starting to encourage the reduction of carbon emissions. Today industry needs to be forward thinking to recognize that greening the environment is not only good for the planet, but it's also good for business."
City of Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr applauds how this partnership will help make Kitchener a greener place to live and work saying, "The Sustainable Waterloo approach can be seen as a model for communities across the country to follow. I am happy to see the Regional Carbon Initiative bring the local municipalities together to benefit the citizens, industries and environment of Waterloo Region."
Ernst & Young's Bill Demers, Partner, Assurance and Advisory Business Services, discusses the business aspect of the Regional Carbon Initiative, stating, "This approach is proactive and Waterloo Region is a great place for it to start. Lowering carbon emissions now will help all involved organizations in the future and compliments Ernst & Young's commitment to promoting corporate awareness of climate change and sustainability issues."
Sustainable Waterloo will celebrate these Founding Partners and the launch of the Regional Carbon Initiative at an event at the Waterloo Inn from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday June 16. More information about the launch can be found at: http://www.sustainablewaterloo.org.
