News Release

The Low Carbon Partnership

Jun 28, 2016

Canadian Business Networks Partner Up to Tackle Climate Change

The Low Carbon Partnership Unites Businesses that Together Generate $100+ Billion in Revenue

June 28, 2016, 8 AM EST. Four of Canada’s most accomplished sustainable business and community networks have partnered in an effort to help the Government of Canada reach its Paris Agreement climate goals and accelerate the nation’s shift to a lowcarbon economy.

The founding members of The Low Carbon Partnership are Climate Smart, Sustainability CoLab, The Natural Step, and QUEST Quality Urban Energy Systems of Tomorrow —established organizations with deep roots in communities and local economies across the country. Collectively, the partners reach more than 1,200 businesses generating $100+ billion in revenue. They’re also in direct contact with 200 communities.

“Addressing climate change requires an unprecedented amount of collaboration, knowledge exchange and partnerships,” said QUEST executive director Brent Gilmour. “By partnering, we’ll make progress much more quickly on climate change, while ensuring our economy and communities continue to prosper, and enable governments to achieve their greenhouse gas emissions and energy objectives.”

“Working together, we’ll help communities and businesses cut costs, grow revenue, and compete in the economy of the future,” added Elizabeth Sheehan, president of Climate Smart Business. “The Low Carbon Partnership is positioned to make a very big impact on carbon emissions,” she added.

The partners lead initiatives that help Canadian businesses and communities take action on climate change, increase profitability, and grow the low carbon economy. Working together, they will:

Share best practices and data between sectors, communities, and regions on how to cost-effectively reduce climate pollution.

Forge and strengthen relationships between public and private sector leaders, and

Inspire and inform businesses and communities nationwide to identify and pursue emerging opportunities in the lowcarbon economy.

The four partners came together in March at the GLOBE Sustainable Business summit in Vancouver, and will develop detailed programming in the coming months. The Partnership recently submitted a proposal to the federal government’s Let’s Talk Climate Action portal. For more, visit
lowcarbonpartnership.ca

To arrange an interview please contact:
James Glave | Mobile: 604-833-4368 | [email protected]

“ I've had many opportunities to work with The Natural Step, QUEST and Sustainability CoLab. They truly are leaders in the sustainability field, bringing together the range of players we'll need to realize real emissions reductions. By joining with Climate Smart to under the banner of The Low Carbon Partnership, I am confident these groups will find creative and impactful ways to work together and will play a major role in Canada's lowcarbon future."

The Honourable Glen Murray

Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Province of Ontario

“It’s great to see four respected Canadian organizations come together to kick Canada’s low carbon economy into high gear. Vancouver is the first major city in Canada to have a climate change adaptation strategy, and we plan to shift to 100% renewable energy by 2050 or sooner. The Low Carbon Partnership is a partner in our drive for carbon reductions in businesses across the country, and I wish it great success!”

Gregor Robertson

Mayor, City of Vancouver

“This new partnership is exactly the type of crosssector, crosscountry initiative that will set the stage for Canadian businesses and communities to successfully advance the transition to a lowcarbon economy.”

Annette Verschuren OC

Chair and CEO, NRStor Inc.

"Canada's ability to successfully transition to a lowcarbon economy will require new approaches and new collaborations that strategically think about how our nation contributes to meeting global energy needs while lowering global emissions. The Natural Step has been a strong partner of ours and we've partnered with QUEST for many years. We’re pleased to hear these two organizations working with others to have an even greater impact."

Eric Axford

Executive Vice President, Business Services, Suncor

"Building a low carbon economy is a critical economic opportunity for Canada and also an important environmental responsibility.. I am pleased to hear of the new strategic partnership between The Natural Step, Climate Smart, QUEST and Sustainability CoLab to align their efforts to mobilize even more leadership and action to facilitate Canada’s transition to a lowcarbon economy.”

Kathy Bardswick

President & CEO, The Cooperators Group Ltd.

“Addressing climate change in Canada is going to require leadership from policy makers, businesses and energy providers. The Low Carbon Partnership is a positive approach that looks to bring together all of those diverse interests in a thoughtful manner. I look forward to seeing the successes this group will undoubtedly accomplish.”

Tzeporah Berman

Sustainability Advocate and Adjunct Professor, York University

“Vancity is glad to be among an expanding partnership of organizations collectively supporting the transition to lowcarbon economies. Engaging the full spectrum of businesses, community stakeholders and all orders of government is critical if Canada is to meet our COP 21 commitments.”

Tamara Vrooman

President & CEO, Vancity Credit Union

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The Low Carbon Partnership

The Low Carbon Partnership Unites Businesses that Together Generate $100+ Billion in Revenue

“This new partnership is exactly the type of crosssector, crosscountry initiative that will set the stage for Canadian businesses and communities to successfully advance the transition to a lowcarbon economy.”

“Vancity is glad to be among an expanding partnership of organizations collectively supporting the transition to lowcarbon economies. Engaging the full spectrum of businesses, community stakeholders and all orders of government is critical if Canada is to meet our COP 21 commitments.”

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The Low Carbon Partnership

The Low Carbon Partnership Unites Businesses that Together Generate $100+ Billion in Revenue

“This new partnership is exactly the type of cross­sector, cross­country initiative that will set the stage for Canadian businesses and communities to successfully advance the transition to a low­carbon economy.”

“Vancity is glad to be among an expanding partnership of organizations collectively supporting the transition to low­carbon economies. Engaging the full spectrum of businesses, community stakeholders and all orders of government is critical if Canada is to meet our COP 21 commitments.”

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“This new partnership is exactly the type of crosssector, crosscountry initiative that will set the stage for Canadian businesses and communities to successfully advance the transition to a lowcarbon economy.”

“Vancity is glad to be among an expanding partnership of organizations collectively supporting the transition to lowcarbon economies. Engaging the full spectrum of businesses, community stakeholders and all orders of government is critical if Canada is to meet our COP 21 commitments.”