4-minute read
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate
Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious businesses. At The Chamber, it is important for us to promote sustainable businesses and their green initiatives. In our Sustainability Spotlights, we will shift our focus towards sustainable practices and the people that adopt and amplify them.
What is Bill C-59 and Why You Should Care
In June 2024, the an update to the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, better known as Bill C-59, received Royal Assent with the intent to “help make life cost less, build more homes, and ensure our economic growth is shared by all.”
While Bill C-59 introduces a broad swath of economic policies, it also adds key updates to Canada’s Competition Act aimed at tackling greenwashing (when a company makes misleading claims about the environmental impact of its products or services to gain market share). This legislation requires businesses making environmental claims to provide credible evidence that their claims are not only true, but also not misleading, similar to the level of scrutiny applied to medical claims.
For businesses, this means more accountability. If you’re advertising that your product, service or operations are environmentally friendly, you’ll need solid data to support your claims. Non-compliance could result in significant penalties, damage to your reputation and loss of consumer trust.
So this month, we sat down with Alex Stuart, President and CEO of Standard Carbon, to discuss how his Winnipeg-based organization is helping businesses adapt to the new regulatory landscape.
Standard Carbon offers audits, employee training, and environmental claim verification for Winnipeg businesses looking to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and substantiate claims. But a key area many organizations need help with is with GHG reporting – this is Alex and Standard Carbon’s specialty.
How Does GHG Reporting Work?
To help you better understand where and how you produce your own GHG emissions, Standard Carbon has two different methods of reporting:
- Rapid Reporting: Powered by their proprietary SCOP3™ Software, Alex recommends this option for leaders looking for something self-serve, cost-effective and hands-off.
- Traditional Reporting: Alex says this is a data-driven approach offering in-depth analysis, expert insights and ISO-accredited accuracy.
Both methods involve Alex and his team of sustainability experts gather and analyze data to provide you a comprehensive representation of your organization’s environmental impact. They help you ensure your GHG claims are accurate, and then provide insights on how you can make tweaks to reduce your emissions.
So, if you’re a business wondering about your emissions, have a chat with Alex’s team at Standard Carbon. They are accredited by the Standards Council of Canada under ISO 14065:2020 and are therefore an ISO-accredited greenhouse gas verifier. They’ll be happy to meet for a consultation and can help you sort through and quantify your GHG inventory so that you can make accurate environmental statements.
“It’s that [Manitoba] Green Advantage that we bragged about that’s now becoming a reality that we can quantify for [Chamber] members so that they can compete in this new low carbon economy…Whether you’re providing a service or you’re providing a product, you’re part of a supply chain, and those larger companies are increasingly demanding this information from their supply chain.”
-Alex Stuart, President & CEO, Standard Carbon
What’s Next, and How Can You Prepare Your Business?
As Winnipeg continues to position itself as a leader in sustainability, our businesses have the opportunity to lead the charge on emerging environmental, social and governance expectations. GHG verification is increasingly becoming a must-have for supply chains and investors who prioritize sustainability.
Here’s how you can take steps to prepare:
- Assess Your Carbon Footprint: Determine where your emissions are coming from and how much you’re producing.
- Verify Your Environmental Claims: Consult with experts like Standard Carbon to understand your options and ensure compliance with Bill C-59
- Align Your Operations with Your ESG Goals: Use your data to identify areas for improvement and be a leader in sustainability.
Winnipeg businesses have the green advantage – both economically and environmentally. By being transparent, staying at the forefront of policy, and keeping a sustainable future in mind, you not only protect your brand but contribute to a vibrant and prosperous Winnipeg.
Want to learn more?
Visit Standard Carbon’s website.
If you’re now looking for ways to reduce energy consumption in your business, ask your energy and climate advocate, Casey, about what exciting programs Efficiency Manitoba has to offer!
