B.C. businesses doing their part for environment
On Earth Day, we can take pride in our collective efforts to do business in a sustainable way, write Tiffany and Daniel Andrew
Each year, on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day — an opportunity to demonstrate support and reflect on our collective efforts for environmental protection. This year, Earth Day carries additional significance, as up to 155 countries, including the world’s leading economies, are expected to sign the landmark Paris Climate Treaty. The Paris accord is one of the most ambitious environmental agreements yet, and the support of global economic leaders signals a growing recognition the business community has a critical role to play in addressing climate change. The G7 nations, which account for roughly 46 per cent of global GDP, have all indicated they intend to sign the treaty, signalling that economic growth and environmental protection are no longer mutually exclusive. Companies worldwide are embracing sustainable practices, and the B.C. community should be proud that we are at the forefront of this fundamental shift.
Businesses are increasingly realizing that sustainability is essential to gaining public trust, generating increased stakeholder and shareholder confidence, and ensuring the long-term stability of an enterprise.
The Paris accord underscores this new reality, where businesses must account for and mitigate their environmental impacts. Companies that do not address this will face increased uncertainty that can threaten the viability of their operations and, ultimately, their bottom line.
We need look no further than our own backyard for evidence of this change. The environment has always been, and will continue to be, one of this province’s most prized assets — and the B.C. business community is proof that an
The B.C. business community is proof that an economy can thrive while also minimizing environmental impacts.
economy can thrive while also minimizing environmental impacts. According to The Conference Board of Canada, in 2016, B.C. is projected to lead all provinces in GDP growth at 2.7 per cent, driven by a diversified economy that, unlike other jurisdictions, is not overly reliant on resource-sector activity.
As owners of a local small business, we take great pride in advancing our economy and protecting the environment. Two Birds has grown 25 per cent over the past two years by producing quality clothing made from responsibly sourced materials. All our apparel is made from environmentally preferable materials, which are either certified Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or OEKO-TEX standard 100 — meaning materials meet leading environmental, social and human ecology criteria.
We also limit greenhouse gas emissions by keeping our supply chain local, as most of our fabric is knitted and dyed within 100km of our manufacturing facility in Canada, and by using preferred supply chain partners that share our commitment to the environment. For example, much of the raw materials used in our fabrics are sourced from overseas markets. Kendor Textiles, one of our suppliers and another local B.C. business, imports more than 700,000 metres of sustainable fabrics, worth $4 million, through the Port of Vancouver each year.
As part of its approach to sustainability, the port authority offers reduced harbour rates to vessels that surpass international emissions standards, implements habitat enhancement programs for local fish and wildlife, and recently launched the ECHO initiative to mitigate potential impacts of shipping activity on the southern resident killer whale population.
Overall, the B.C. business community, including our supply chain partners and the port, are helping build a sustainable local economy.
So this Earth Day, as the Paris accord is signed, we have an opportunity to reflect on global progress toward sustainability.
We also have a chance to highlight the B.C. business community, which has demonstrated that economic growth and environmental protection are compatible — and increasingly complementary — goals for modern society.