4-minute read
Post Contributed by Brittany Hart, Team Lead, Employee and Community Experience, Johnston Group
Leadership Winnipeg Class of 2024-2025
In today’s world, the urgency of climate action is undeniable and addressing the impacts requires a collective effort. However, it’s crucial to recognize that one size does not fit all when it comes to sustainability. Individuals, communities, businesses, and not-for-profits each have a unique role to play, and many organizations are recognizing that sustainability is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage.
At a recent session, we learned about some fascinating success stories from Winnipeg Institutions.
RBC Convention Centre – Matthew Wedlake, Director, Finance and Corporate Services & Melissa Makarenko, Executive Chef
Hosted at the RBC Convention Centre, we learned how the organization has advanced its climate action plan. Their efforts include:
- Building upgrades, such as implementing no-idle zones, adding light timers and sensors and addressing heat recovery.
- The team sources food products locally which can minimize transportation costs and reduce their carbon footprint. We were even treated to a fully local meal for lunch!
- The team works with Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, to redirect surplus food to community organizations working to combat hunger. Since joining, they have redirected 3470 lbs of food.
- Partnering with Candace House, a local organization that picks up aluminum cans to be recycled.
- Hosting Sweet Makers Honey on their roof to bring pollinators downtown.
As a not-for-profit, sustainability is not only the right thing to do but it also has positive fiscal impacts, ultimately saving crucial funds in the long run.
Green Action Centre – Josep Seras-Gubert, Executive Director
From a small recycling program in 1985, Green Action Centre has grown into a leading advocate and educator, empowering Manitobans with a wide array of sustainability solutions which include:
- Supporting workplaces with green audits to help identify areas of climate impact.
- Partnering with First Nations communities to support waste management in remote locations.
- Operates Compost Winnipeg, a growing social enterprise that has diverted 6,312 tonnes of organic waste since 2016.
As Josep enthusiastically remarked, “Climate change is human-caused, but it can be human-solved!” Driving home that, as humans, we all share in the responsibility.
The Forks – Jessica Floresco, Chief Operating Officer & Dave Pancoe – Placemaking and Sustainability Manager
Here, we learned about The Forks’ goal of “Target Zero.” Simply put, this means zero garbage, zero water waste, and zero carbon emissions. There is no shortage of exciting projects going on here.
- The Forks has been converted to a geothermal heat pump system, reducing emissions by 70%.
- The Forks converted all restaurants to reusable dishware and now operates an onsite composter, which takes care of 80% of their waste products. The remaining waste is recyclables.
- The Forks hosts a public orchard and edible gardens for patrons to enjoy and converted all lawn space to prairie grasses.
- The Forks collects waste vegetable oil from restaurants and converts it into biodiesel. Not only do several pieces of equipment run on it, but they operate the only biodiesel zamboni in the province, saving 90,000 litres of diesel overall.
Climate action and sustainability are everyone’s responsibility, but the approaches must be as diverse as the challenges we face. By embracing unique strategies and fostering collaboration, organizations can lead the way in creating a circular economy and closing the gaps in sustainability. Together, we can build a future that is not only resilient but also thriving for generations to come.
Why? Because there is no PLANet B.
Our Leadership Winnipeg program is made possible with the support of our Vision Partners Canada Life, Johnston Group and The Winnipeg Foundation; Proud Partner Assiniboine Credit Union and our Proud Supporters Boston Pizza, Change Innovators Inc., Honest Agency, and University of Winnipeg.
