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.”
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.
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Efficiency Manitoba
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
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)
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
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
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
- Collect data on existing buildings to improve energy performance.
- Ensure building systems operate at optimal levels while saving energy and improving occupant comfort.
- Determine the best approach to integrating energy and GHG reductions into longer-term management plans.
- Retrofit a building to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in GHG emissions; ideal for shovel-ready projects.
- Retrofit a building using an outcomes-oriented approach to achieving (near) net-zero carbon buildings over time.
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
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
Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit
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)
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
Sustainability Spotlights
In our Sustainability Spotlights, we focus on local members making strides towards sustainable practices and the people that adopt and amplify them.
Get Rolling This Bike Week (And Beyond!) – Sustainability Spotlight
5-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate It’s Bike Week, Winnipeg! Now’s the perfect time to grab...
Your Winnipeg Spring Composting Guide: How to Reduce Food Waste
4.5-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate It’s Compost Awareness Week, and we’re here to raise awareness...
Sustainability Spotlight: How MEIA is Planting Seeds for Winnipeg
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious businesses. At...
Sustainability Spotlight – Narratives Inc.
3-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
The Best Savings for Best Sleep Centre | Efficiency Spotlight
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
How Standard Carbon Is Helping Manitoba Businesses Fit Bill C-59 | Sustainability Spotlight
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight – Ducks Unlimited Canada
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight – Powertec Solar
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight: Green Action Centre
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious businesses. At...
Efficiency Manitoba Program Spotlight – 204 Capital Inc.
3-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy and Climate Advocate How do you boost your energy efficiency and save money...
Sustainability Spotlight – BizforClimate
3-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy and Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Efficiency Manitoba Program Spotlight – Winnipeg Soccer Federation
3-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy and Climate Advocate Have you been looking to brighten your business? We chatted...
Sustainability Spotlight – IKEA Winnipeg
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Welcome back to another edition of our Sustainability Spotlight featuring...
Efficiency Manitoba Program Spotlight – Asham Curling Supplies
2-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Climate and Energy Advocate Did you know that many Chamber members are already taking...
Sustainability Spotlight – Clean Communities Corporation
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Climate and Energy Advocate It’s December, and finally, it is time for another Sustainability...
Sustainability Spotlight – Assiniboine Credit Union
5-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate September marks the end of summer and the start of...
Sustainability Spotlight – Boke Consulting
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 6-minute read Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight – Vibes Energy Inc.
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 5-minute read Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight- Little Brown Jug
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 4-minute read Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Efficiency Manitoba Blogs
Learn more about Efficiency Manitoba’s offers for your business in our blogs below.
The Best Savings for Best Sleep Centre | Efficiency Spotlight
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
How Standard Carbon Is Helping Manitoba Businesses Fit Bill C-59 | Sustainability Spotlight
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight – Ducks Unlimited Canada
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
Sustainability Spotlight – Powertec Solar
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Community-based sustainability is a key strategy in developing flourishing eco-conscious...
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Efficiency Manitoba Renew Energy and Climate Partnership
With energy demands increasing, it becomes more important that we reduce our energy use and become as energy-efficient as possible...
Your Guide… to EnerGuide!
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 4-minute read If you’ve ever spent time searching for a new oven,...
Efficiency Manitoba Program Spotlight – 204 Capital Inc.
3-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy and Climate Advocate How do you boost your energy efficiency and save money...
Efficiency Manitoba Program Spotlight – Winnipeg Soccer Federation
3-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy and Climate Advocate Have you been looking to brighten your business? We chatted...
Efficiency Manitoba Program Spotlight – Asham Curling Supplies
2-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Climate and Energy Advocate Did you know that many Chamber members are already taking...
Stay Warm, Stay (Energy) Efficient
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 4-minute read No time is more relevant for heating, ventilation, and air...
Small Business Week, Big Energy Savings
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 3-minute read It’s Small Business Week this October 15th – 21st and...
Save 50% on an energy audit
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 2-minute read Are you looking to identify energy and cost savings for...
Top Ways to be Efficient this Summer
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 4-minute read Looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint this summer?...
Celebrate Earth Month Year-Round
4-min read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Take a look at some of Efficiency Manitoba’s programs to...
Ways to Celebrate Earth Month
Written by Casey Clair 3-minute read Happy Earth Month, Chamber members! How are you taking part in Earth Month this...
5 reasons to choose energy efficiency
5-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate Are you thinking about incorporating energy-efficient upgrades into your business?...
Tips for Winter-Proofing your Business
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 5-minute read Winter is here. That’s why The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce...
Construction Programs Built for You
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 5-minute read Struggling with the rising costs of construction? Learn more about...
Retrofitting Your Business
Written by Casey Clair, Energy & Climate Advocate 6-minute read Are you remodelling your commercial building, multi-unit residential building or...
3 Efficiency Manitoba Programs for your business
4-minute read Written by Casey Clair, Energy and Climate Advocate According to the Canadian Survey on Business Conditions (CSBC), a...
Get to Know Casey- Our new Energy and Climate Advocate
2-minute read Hello Chamber members, My name is Casey Clair, and I am The Chamber’s new Energy and Climate Advocate....