Charting the path for SMEs to reach net-zero emissions
Article taken from Green Economy Canada
Canada has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Yet, how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) — the backbone of our economy — can be leveraged to reach this necessary and ambitious goal has been largely overlooked. To help address this gap, Green Economy Canada, in partnership with the Pembina Institute, has launched the SME Net-Zero Pathways: Manufacturing pilot project.
Learning, Convening, Sharing
This pilot project has three phases.
- Learning: In partnership with the Delphi Group, we’ll work with 10 SME manufacturers in Ontario, to analyze their operations and emissions sources to identify the changes necessary to achieve net-zero, and the costs, return on investments and co-benefits of implementing these changes. Simultaneously, the Pembina Institute will be analyzing the policy landscape to understand what programs currently exist to support SMEs to reduce their emissions.
- Convening: Equipped with these findings, we’ll then host a roundtable discussion to bring together SME leaders, policymakers, academics and industry experts to collaborate and identify ways to support SMEs in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- Sharing: Finally, we’ll share our findings in a public campaign to inspire other Canadian manufacturers to aim for net-zero by illustrating tangible plans for how to achieve net-zero and the business case for taking action now.
We are currently working with the first cohort of businesses which include: Almac Industrial Systems, Heeman’s, London Brewing Co-operative, Reesor’s Markets, Riverside Natural Foods, and Rodlin Instruments. These businesses are seeing a growing awareness of net-zero targets from customers, suppliers, competitors and regulators, but have indicated they need more guidance on how their own operations can reach net-zero and the business case to do so. This pilot will help them develop a net-zero roadmap and give them an opportunity to identify the supports they need to carry out the changes like specific policies from the government, green lending rates from financial institutions, peer-learning from similar businesses, and guidance to leverage and communicate their net-zero commitment to customers.
There are two types of eligible recipients for the funding:
- Direct recipients: Commercial and institutional buildings owners and operators, including Indigenous organizations, that want to implement ISO 50001 in their buildings.
- Initial recipients: Municipal/provincial/territorial governments and agencies, utilities, industry associations and registered non-profit organizations that implement programs that redistribute the funds to direct/ultimate recipients to undertake eligible project activities.
The funding will be used to reimburse eligible project costs as follows:
- Eligible for-profit organizations may receive up to 60% of eligible costs
- Eligible not-for-profit organizations may receive up to 75% of eligible costs
- Maximum of $40,000per facility
- The maximum contribution to an organization or group of affiliates is $200,000 per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
Eligible project expenditures include salaries and benefits, professional, scientific and technical fees specific to the energy management system, fees for data collection, benchmarking and analysis services, metering equipment, as well as other expenditures directly related to the project.
For more information, refer to Financial assistance for commercial and institutional buildings.
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There are two types of eligible recipients for the funding:
- Direct recipients: Commercial and institutional buildings owners and operators, including Indigenous organizations, that want to implement ISO 50001 in their buildings.
- Initial recipients: Municipal/provincial/territorial governments and agencies, utilities, industry associations and registered non-profit organizations that implement programs that redistribute the funds to direct/ultimate recipients to undertake eligible project activities.
The funding will be used to reimburse eligible project costs as follows:
- Eligible for-profit organizations may receive up to 60% of eligible costs
- Eligible not-for-profit organizations may receive up to 75% of eligible costs
- Maximum of $40,000per facility
- The maximum contribution to an organization or group of affiliates is $200,000 per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
Eligible project expenditures include salaries and benefits, professional, scientific and technical fees specific to the energy management system, fees for data collection, benchmarking and analysis services, metering equipment, as well as other expenditures directly related to the project.
For more information, refer to Financial assistance for commercial and institutional buildings.