Peterborough has long punched above its weight when it comes to community-based environmental action. Many of these actions have been connected to GreenUP’s work, from the beloved Ecology Park to the well-established home energy efficiency program, and the month-long Shifting Gears active transportation challenge.
These successes show that this community is the right size, and has the right spirit, to spark ideas that grow into something bigger; ideas that don’t just stay local, but inspire change across the country.
This spirit was on full display recently as Green Economy Peterborough (GEP), the local business program run by GreenUP, and its umbrella network Green Economy Canada, both hosted their annual green business awards. These gatherings brought together business and community leaders to celebrate and get inspired by the people and organizations leading the way to a low-carbon future.
At GEP’s fourth annual Leadership in Sustainability Awards and Celebration, hosted last Thursday evening (June 12) at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre in Peterborough, Darryl Julott, the City of Peterborough’s new director of economic development, spoke to the city’s continued support for this program and for local businesses.
“It’s become clear to me and everyone at the City of Peterborough that sustainability is no longer a niche initiative — it’s a real opportunity for small businesses to strengthen their operations and become future ready,” Julott said.
Among the award recipients were many local businesses doing just that.
Morton Medical Centre earned the “Rookie of the Year” award. When this small rural health centre based in Douro-Dummer joined the program to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, they leapt into action and quickly completed their carbon footprint assessment, an informative first step in GEP’s milestone program.
Morton’s team then partnered with GreenUP to develop a small business energy efficiency pilot. This involved not only identifying the technical upgrades required to reduce natural gas and electricity use of their facility, but also a commitment to trialling strategies to engage tenants and staff in behavioural and operational changes to reduce energy. Their goal was to build a lasting culture of workplace energy efficiency.
Located in Cavan, award-winner Woodleigh Farms drew praise for their biochar processing pilot. Biochar is an emergent agricultural soil amendment made by turning local waste wood into carbon-rich charcoal. Woodleigh’s “Leadership in Innovation” award recognizes their efforts to sequester carbon in what is understood to be a first-of-its kind-in-Canada commercial biochar processing facility.
Wild Rock Outfitters in downtown Peterborough secured the “Leadership Outside the Box” award for their new Wild Again program. Wild Again invites customers to bring in old outdoor gear to trade or reuse, cutting down on the need to manufacture new equipment, slashing emissions and waste. It’s part of a larger commitment to sustainability that includes partnering with eco-friendly suppliers and promoting local adventure tourism.
Unity Design Studio, the award-winning architectural firm that designed the Canadian Canoe Museum, among other gems both local and beyond, received the “Leadership Through Ambition” award. This award celebrates Unity’s comprehensive approach to a tricky problem: the emissions that are produced by employee commuting.
Unity Design Studio piloted GreenUP’s first bike-friendly workplace audit, rolled out a new active transportation policy, and created a safe place for staff to park their bikes. For Unity staff, this direct experience can add extra value and nuance to their design work, influencing how people arrive at future building projects.
The “Leadership in Collaboration” award went to Morton Medical Centre for partnering with GEP on the small business energy efficiency pilot, with Cabinetree, a local kitchen cabinet manufacturer, receiving an honourable mention.
Kelly Jamieson of Charlotte Products won a special staff award for the exceptional scope and accuracy he put into collecting greenhouse gas data for the organization.
Accurate emissions data is easier to work with and importantly provides a clearer picture of the climate action opportunities and savings for a business.
The efforts, innovation, and initiative of numerous GEP Leadership in Sustainability awards recipients resonated across the country at Green Economy Canada’s national celebration.
In the Canadian network made up of 10 hubs based in communities from Alberta to New Brunswick, Peterborough’s local businesses won two of five national awards, inspiring businesses nationally.
The awards went to Woodleigh Farms and Morton Medical Centre, while Wild Rock Outfitters earned an honourable mention.
With the smoke from wildfires in the air and the impacts of March’s ice storm still evident, the need to act on climate change feels urgent. Our local businesses are clearly rising to the challenge, supporting one another and leading the way for others to follow.
These awards and celebrations were made possible thanks to support from the City of Peterborough, Peterborough County, Camp Kawartha, and Green Economy Canada.
Learn more about GreenUP’s Green Economy Peterborough program at www.greeneconomypeterborough.ca.
