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WATERLOO REGION, ON (December 17, 2015) – There have been extraordinary conversations about climate change on the global level over the last week at the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, COP21, but closer to home, Waterloo Region is ahead of the curve in taking action to combat climate change.

Close to 70 organizations in Waterloo Region, from businesses to academia to not-for-profits, are collaborating and sharing best practices as members of SWR’s Regional Carbon Initiative to make real progress and publicly report GHG reduction commitments and environmental impact.  MMM Group, Veriform, and Whiting Design have all committed to reduce their GHG emissions by 100% by 2018, 2019, and 2016, respectively.

Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) is proud to be working with organizations across Waterloo Region to enable them to reduce their environmental footprint. While the international commitments are new, local businesses, municipalities and organizations are already leading the way. Whether it is in the area of energy efficiency, transportation, or in their day to day operations, there are Canadian leaders right here in Waterloo Region,” says Tova Davidson, the Executive Director for a local environmental non-profit.

Waterloo Region’s Climate Action Plan highlights the community’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by six per cent between 2010 and 2020.  Publicly available, the plan lays out the Region’s strategic imperatives and is updated every six months.  The Climate Action Waterloo Region program is run in collaboration between SWR and REEP Green Solutions. A couple of the actions that are expected to come from this plan include offering utility incentive programs and making the cost of energy retrofits more affordable.

SWR also works with the Region of Waterloo on a travel program called TravelWise. This is a membership-based program that allows employers to provide alternate travel options to their employees. Membership with TravelWise allows employees to buy GRT bus passes at a discounted rate, find emergency rides home if their carpool partner leaves in emergency, and plan carpool trips online.

“We’re proud of the leadership role these organizations are taking to cultivate local change and demonstrate what can be done to create global change,” says Davidson. “Change happens when communities come together. We’re proud to be able to play a role in making that change.”

For more information, please contact:

Lexi Halley

Public Relations Manager

Sustainable Waterloo Region

Tel: 226-606-5394

Email: lexi.halley@sustainablewr.ca