Sustainable Waterloo Region
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| Type | Not-for-profit |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Staff | 6 |
Volunteers | 40 |
| Website | http://www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca |
Sustainable Waterloo Region is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada with a mission to advance the environmental sustainability of organizations across Waterloo Region through collaboration.[1]
History
Sustainable Waterloo Region, formerly Sustainable Waterloo, was founded by Mike Morrice and Chris DePaul in 2008 as part of a business project at Wilfrid Laurier University's School of Business and Economics.[2] Their research focused on the business implications of imminent carbon pricing mechanisms and the viability of establishing a not-for-profit in Waterloo Region that would help organizations achieve carbon reductions through collaboration and education.
Inspiration was found in the business model and success of Sustainable Silicon Valley and CivicAction (formerly the Toronto City Summit Alliance). And in July 2008, Sustainable Waterloo incorporated as a not-for-profit with a vision towards a thriving Waterloo Region with a healthy environment and a vibrant economy.
Sustainable Waterloo Region hosted its first Educational Forum in January 2009 with over 200 people in attendance, confirming community-wide interest in GHG reductions and support of the organization.
Sustainable Waterloo Region received seed funding from various local businesses, academia, government, and education institutions.[3] Sustainable Waterloo's Founding Partners include Wilfrid Laurier University’s CMA Centre for Business Sustainability, Virtual Causeway, Manulife Financial, Waterloo North Hydro Inc, the City of Kitchener, and Ernst & Young.[4]
Name change
In September 2011, Sustainable Waterloo underwent a significant change when it updated its name, brand and office space. At the start of the annual event season Sustainable Waterloo launched its new name: Sustainable Waterloo Region. This name was chosen to better reflect the regional element of the organization’s mission and the geographical diversity of Regional Carbon Initiative members. To accompany the name change, the organization shed the “squiggle” in exchange for a logo that better communicated inclusivity and holistic sustainability.
At the same time, Sustainable Waterloo Region’s office moved from its cherished Uptown Waterloo location to the vibrant, creative and collaborative space that is downtown Kitchener's Tannery District.
New logo
With this name change also came an update to the organization's logo. The Sustainable Waterloo Region logo uses the same font as the organization's original logo to demonstrate ties to its roots. The blue and green cyclical arrow represents the organization’s holistic view of sustainability, which goes beyond greenhouse gas reductions. And the emphasis on “able” reflects optimism for what Waterloo Region can achieve.
The Regional Carbon Initiative
Sustainable Waterloo’s initial project is referred to as The Regional Carbon Initiative, which facilitates voluntary carbon emission reduction targets by providing participating organizations with an online tool to measure their carbon emissions, educational forums and technical workshops to learn from their peers around how to reduce emissions and as much public recognition as possible for those companies that are successful in reducing emissions.[5] The Regional Carbon Initiative launched on June 16th, 2009 with the announcement of its first three Pledging Partners, Veriform Inc., Athena Software and Enermodal Engineering, who have voluntarily committed to a carbon reduction target under Sustainable Waterloo's framework.[6] Sustainable Waterloo also released the Guide to the Regional Carbon Initiative, which is a document that details the official reduction framework, the reporting procedure, and the GHG accounting methodology that will be used for all Pledging Partners.[7]
Membership in the Regional Carbon Initiative
There are two membership options available for the Regional Carbon Initiative.
A Pledging Partner reports and works towards carbon emission reductions through the use of services provided. Sustainable Waterloo also publicly communicates the Pledging Partner's reduction targets.[8]
An Observing Organization is provided with the same service offerings as a Pledging Partner, and either uses alternative programs to track and report their carbon emissions or works towards participation in the future.[9]
A Sustaining Partner is a Pledging Partner that has generously committed to a higher annual financial investment in Sustainable Waterloo. Their added support strengthens Sustainable Waterloo’s capacity to achieve its mission.[10]
Current members
Sustaining partners
| Virtual Causeway | |
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Pledging partners
| Enermodal Engineering | |
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| Veriform Inc | |
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| Whiting Design | |
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| XCG Consultants | |
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| Athena Software | |
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| Deloitte | |
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| Ernst & Young | |
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| Mennonite Central Committee | |
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| Pano Cap Canada | |
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Observing organizations
| Region of Waterloo *Observing Organization with commitment |
| Brighton Yards Housing Co-op |
| Centre for International Governance Innovation |
| City of Kitchener |
| City of Waterloo |
| Cober Evolving Solutions |
| EarthFX Energy Inc |
| Eco-Shift Power Corp |
| Energent |
| Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan |
| Gore Mutual Insurance Company |
| Grand River Conservation Authority |
| Grand River Personnel |
| House of Friendship |
| Hutton Forest Products |
| The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation |
| Mennonite Savings and Credit Union |
| Miovision Technologies |
| Northern Digital |
| Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan |
| Quarry Integrated Communications |
| Quiet Nature |
| Read Jones Christoffersen |
| Sun Life Financial |
| The Economical Insurance Group |
| United Way |
| Vigor Clean Tech |
| VIP Energy Services Inc |
| WalterFedy |
| Waterloo North Hydro |
| Waterloo Region Record |
| Wilfrid Laurier University |
References
- ↑ Rose Simone, "Local group to tackle ecology of technology," http://news.therecord.com/article/469867, January 10, 2009
- ↑ Linda Givetash, "Sustainability group helps corporations cut emissions," http://www.cordweekly.com/cordweekly/news?news_id=1957&emailForm#form, September 17, 2009.
- ↑ Reid McCarter, "Sustainable Waterloo: Making Tech Greener" http://www.scansite.ca/news/2009/01/sustainable_waterloo_making_te.html
- ↑ Exchange Magazine, "Sustainable Waterloo Launches with Six Founding Partners," http://www.exchangemagazine.com/morningpost/2009/week23/Monday/060120.htm
- ↑ Reid McCarter, "Sustainable Waterloo: Making Tech Greener" http://www.scansite.ca/news/2009/01/sustainable_waterloo_making_te.html
- ↑ Rose Simone, "In two years, firm cuts energy 58 per cent," http://news.therecord.com/Business/article/554586
- ↑ CNW Group, "Sustainable Waterloo Launches the Regional Carbon Initiative," http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2009/17/c7394.html
- ↑ Sustainable Waterloo, "The Regional Carbon Initiative," http://www.sustainablewaterloo.org/index.php?p=rcioverview
- ↑ Sustainable Waterloo, "The Regional Carbon Initiative," http://www.sustainablewaterloo.org/index.php?p=rcioverview
- ↑ Sustainable Waterloo, "The Regional Carbon Initiative," http://www.sustainablewaterloo.org/index.php?p=rcioverview