ClimateWise Partners Saved $15 Million in 2013
Posted on: Jun-16-2014
ClimateWise business partners continue to raise the bar on their commitment to environmental stewardship and economic vitality. In 2013, their collective efforts saved nearly $15 million and reduced carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 171,641 tons.The equivalent reduction of 171,641 tons of CO2e translates to 15 million trees being planted in Fort Collins or a reduction of 2.3 million vehicle round trips between Fort Collins and Denver.
ClimateWise is a voluntary program sponsored by the City of Fort Collins. More than 360 businesses participate by reducing their waste, conserving water and energy and using alternative transportation. Since 2000, partners, ranging from small to large organizations, have achieved a cumulative savings of more than $83 million and 1.2 million tons of CO2e, and have diverted more than 684,000 tons of waste from the landfill by reducing, reusing and recycling.
ClimateWise partners also have achieved cumulative water savings of 12 billion gallons, the same amount of water needed to fill City Park pool 55,000 times, and their cumulative reduction of 819 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity equals the total annual energy use of 7,500 homes (over the same period). Partners also have reduced their natural gas use by 19.7 million therms or the equivalent natural gas use of 2,100 homes (over the same period).
ClimateWise offers its partners free technical assessments of their operations, ongoing business support, peer networking, tools and resources for savings and public recognition. Staff develops and offers outreach and training opportunities, including the annual Business Innovation Fair, tours and seminars. During the annual EnvirOvation – A ClimateWise Celebration, businesses are recognized by partnership levels—platinum, gold, silver and bronze—based on the rigor of their environmental initiatives per specific goals and milestones.
The Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Alliance for Innovation have each recognized ClimateWise with innovation and outstanding achievement awards. ClimateWise continues to leverage resources, including volunteers with more than 1,034 hours valued at $23,187 for 2013, as well as sponsorships and in-kind donations of $26,380.
For more information, check out the 2013 ClimateWise Summary of Accomplishments by visiting https://www.fcgov.com/climatewise. Viewers are invited to play ClimateWise Jeopardy to be entered in a prize drawing.
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Kathy Collier, Program Manager
- 970.221.6312
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