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Environment & Energy

KEEPING YOUR BUSINESS SUSTAINABLE 

Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious businesses. At The Chamber, it is important for us to collaborate with local businesses and their eco-conscious initiatives. Which is why in 2022, we partnered with Efficiency Manitoba to help connect our members with more sustainable ways to do business.  

How can you leverage the power of sustainability with your business? 

At The Chamber, we understand that a thriving business community is based around sustainable development.

 

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

United Nations, Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development 

 

In 2015, the United Nations released 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are a call to action between countries to work towards improving health, education, poverty, clean and affordable energy, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, among many other core development areas. The overall intent of the SDGs is to foster peace and prosperity for all global citizens and to do so in a sustainable matter. Find out more information on the Sustainable Development Goals from the United Nation website. The SDGs related to energy & the environment and how The Chamber acts on them: 

#11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: 

“Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” By working together towards making our cities and communities more sustainable and resilient to climate change we can accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 11. The Chamber supports and encourages inclusivity and safety through our CODE initiative. Also, The Chamber has acquired an Energy and Climate Advocate, Casey Clair, to promote sustainable and resilient building development and energy efficiency through Efficiency Manitoba. 

#12: Responsible Consumption and Production:  

“Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.” There are many opportunities for a sustainable circular economy due to the variety of businesses and non-profits that are members of The Winnipeg Chamber. A circular economy means minimizing waste by giving new purpose to refurbished or repurposed materials. Instead of the economy working in a linear fashion as it currently does, where we input materials and expel waste, a circular economy puts value on waste material so that everything contributes back to the economy. 

#13: Climate Action: 

“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.” 

The Chamber’s energy and climate advocate, Casey Clair, has recently joined the Climate Action and Resilience Committee (CARC) as a citizen member. One of the committee’s duties is to advise the Mayor and Council on climate change issues and another is to update and implement the City of Winnipeg’s Climate Action Plan. 

Do you work from an office? Check out Efficiency Manitoba’s commercial offers for your business needs today! 

If you’re looking for upgrades to your small business, consider their Small Business Program to save up to 100% on your energy efficient upgrades and installation! If you’re looking for specific energy efficiency improvements to your building, such as upgrading your lighting or building envelope, you might want to look for savings through their Business Lighting Program or Building Envelope Program 

If you’re building from the ground up or if you want to retrofit your existing business there are programs, incentives, and experts ready to help you through their New Buildings Program, Commercial Deep Energy Retrofits Program, and more!  

Do you work from home? You might be interested in Efficiency Manitoba’s residential offers 

There are a wide range of energy efficient upgrades depending on the size of your project. Whether you want just a quick virtual energy review to get you started, you’re already planning on getting new windows and doors, or you have a whole home energy retrofit in mind, check out Efficiency Manitoba’s programs and rebates before you start! 

Additional Grants & Incentives for Energy Efficiency for Business

Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit

Geothermal Heat Pump Systems  

Property owners who install a geothermal heat pump system in Manitoba can receive tax credits from the Manitoba government as follows: 

  • a 7.5% tax credit – on geothermal heat pumps that are manufactured in Manitoba for use in Manitoba, plus 
  • a 15% tax credit – on the remainder of the capital costs of the geothermal system (excluding the heat pump) if the installer is certified by the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance, Inc. (see www.mgea.ca) 

LEARN MORE

 

Solar Thermal Energy Systems

Purchasers who install specified solar heating equipment in Manitoba qualify for a refundable 10% Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit on the eligible capital costs  

  • Solar power that is or will be used primarily for the purpose of heating liquid or gas*  
  • Can be used in conjunction with Efficiency Manitoba’s Solar Rebate Program 

LEARN MORE

 

CIB Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative

Note: Open to municipal buildings only, though some grants require a non-profit or community centre to be retrofitted in addition to the municipal building 

CIB Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative

Available for residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. They will invest up to 80% of the total costs.

Note: Minimum $25 million CIB investment opportunity 

For energy efficiency projects/retrofits such as:

  • Heating decarbonization via electrification or other solutions 
  • On-site, behind the meter renewables and energy storage 
  • Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

Community Building Monitoring and Analysis grant 

  •  Collect data on existing buildings to improve energy performance. 

Community Building Recommissioning grant 

  •  Ensure building systems operate at optimal levels while saving energy and improving occupant comfort. 

GHG Reduction Pathway Feasibility Study grant 

  •  Determine the best approach to integrating energy and GHG reductions into longer-term management plans. 

GHG impact retrofit capital project 

  •  Retrofit a building to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in GHG emissions; ideal for shovel-ready projects. 

GHG reduction pathway retrofit capital project 

  •  Retrofit a building using an outcomes-oriented approach to achieving (near) net-zero carbon buildings over time. 

 

LEARN MORE

Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP)

This is a repaid loan that is designed for businesses who are scaling up and/or producing innovative products and services. 

Note: Must apply to other loans and incentive programs first 

 

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Canada Greener Homes Grant

  • Grants from $125 to $5,000 
  • To get a part of your costs back for eligible home retrofits 
  • Up to $600 
  • As a maximum contribution toward the total costs of your pre- and post-retrofit EnerGuide evaluations 
  • Interest-free loans of up to $40,000, with a repayment term of 10 years to help you undertake major home retrofits 

 

LEARN MORE

Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit

Geothermal Heat Pump Systems  

Property owners who install a geothermal heat pump system in Manitoba can receive tax credits from the Manitoba government as follows: 

  • a 7.5% tax credit – on geothermal heat pumps that are manufactured in Manitoba for use in Manitoba, plus 
  • a 15% tax credit – on the remainder of the capital costs of the geothermal system (excluding the heat pump) if the installer is certified by the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance, Inc. (see www.mgea.ca) 

LEARN MORE

 

Solar Thermal Energy Systems

Purchasers who install specified solar heating equipment in Manitoba qualify for a refundable 10% Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit on the eligible capital costs  

  • Solar power that is or will be used primarily for the purpose of heating liquid or gas*  
  • Can be used in conjunction with Efficiency Manitoba’s Solar Rebate Program 

LEARN MORE

Access your climate advocate

Get assistance on your energy efficiency journey and contact our Energy & Climate Advocate, Casey Clair for more information on our environment and energy efforts or to be connected directly with program specialists at Efficiency Manitoba.

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