Reimagining a Sustainable Business Program for Fort Collins
Dear ClimateWise Partners and Community Members,
For 20 years, Fort Collins businesses who participated in the City of Fort Collins ClimateWise program saved over $94 million and reduced carbon emissions by 1.4 metric tons. In partnership with the Sustainable Living Association (SLA), the City is now handing off its program model, which ended in 2020, to ‘reimagine’ and develop a new sustainability program for businesses based on the current needs of the Fort Collins business community.
ClimateWise launched in 2000 to support the Climate Action Plan adopted in 1999. The program’s goal was to reduce carbon emissions through voluntary business engagement and sustainable business practices. Throughout its lifetime, more than 600 businesses have participated in the program and taken advantage of the available resources.
One focus of reimagining a new sustainable business program is to ensure the voices of Fort Collins’ historically underrepresented businesses and stakeholders are heard. “ClimateWise was successful because of the input from many Fort Collins business members. To continue to grow the awareness and engagement of this program, we feel it’s important to work with a lens on equity and inclusion by leading with race,” states Kellie Falbo, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of SLA.
SLA’s Leadership Team includes a core team from the SLA and the City of Fort Collins along with eight representatives from the Fort Collins business community. The redesign of ClimateWise will assess barriers to participating in the program, past challenges and strengths and how to align to existing City community goals. Additionally, the team will create a larger steering committee to aid in the process of the barrier analysis, broader business engagement and pilot program implementation.
For more information and how to participate, visit sustainablelivingassociation.org/sustainable-business-program
Warm regards,
The ClimateWise Team
ClimateWise
ClimateWise is a free, voluntary program that offers simple solutions to help Fort Collins Businesses reduce their impact, save money and gain recognition for their achievements in energy and water conservation, waste reduction, alternative transportation and social responsibility.
ClimateWise Partners
Meet our ClimateWise Partners and see their most recent accomplishments in the program.
2018 ClimateWise Partner Results