In this series, we have had an opportunity to share with you, our community, the incredible organizations that have made our work possible through their sponsorship, funding and partnership. We cap off this three part gratitude series with a spotlight on those that not only support our work, but elevate it with their expertise and passion for making real and transformational change in our region.
Our Partners – Amplifying Impact
SWR is founded on a set of intertwined values that focus on collaboration, credibility, our collective potential for impact, tangible results and environmental sustainability. By making collaboration part of our DNA, we have not only amplified our impact, but deepened our connections to this community. Thank you to our partners who have both inspired and invigorated us in 2020.
2020 Partners
evolvGREEN
evolvGREEN is a collaboration born out of the evolv1 project that includes: The Accelerator Centre, Sustainable Waterloo Region, University of Waterloo, The Viessmann Centre for Engagement and Research in Sustainability (VERiS) and Wilfrid Laurier University. Designed as the region’s foremost collaborative workspace for entrepreneurs, researchers and clean economy supporters, we offer a community approach to leading changes that will reduce environmental impact and improve well-being.
Green Economy Canada
After the inception of SWR in 2008 (formerly Regional Carbon Initiative), the success and interest from communities across Canada led to the subsequent creation of Green Economy Canada (formerly Sustainability CoLab) in 2014. Using the model for SWR’s Regional Sustainability Initiative program, Green Economy Canada aimed to grow a network of Hubs across Ontario and in just four years, the network had grown to seven Hubs supporting over 250 businesses in Durham Region, Hamilton Burlington, Kingston, Ottawa, Sudbury, and York Region. As a partner in this network, SWR is able to benefit from the collective impact of Green Economy Hubs to mobilize network-wide funding, engage in policy discussions, and share stories of success to demonstrate that a more sustainable economy is possible.
Reep Green Solutions
Reep Green Solutions was founded in 1999 as a joint initiative of the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment and the Elora Environment Centre and last year, Reep Green Solutions celebrated the 20th anniversary of empowering the community with the practical tools, knowledge and capacity for action to make sustainable living the norm. SWR and Reep are partners in leading ClimateActionWR, a deeply collaborative program that coordinates the activities of Waterloo Region’s Climate Action Plan by establishing cross-sector dialogue, facilitating collaborative opportunities, and monitoring and measuring progress towards lowering our community’s emissions. ClimateActionWR has a long-term target of 80% GHG reduction by 2050 over 2010 levels, with a short-term target of reaching the first 6% reduction by 2020.
The ClimateActionWR program also partners closely with all eight of the area municipalities, which includes; the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo, as well as the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich. In 2020 this partnership was further strengthened as we worked together in the development of both the long and short term strategies as we collectively plan for a better future for us all.
Region of Waterloo
SWR works in partnership with the Region of Waterloo to collaboratively administer TravelWise, a Transportation Management Association that supports the use of sustainable commuting by employees in Waterloo Region. TravelWise has the goal of reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles travelling on our roads and this work is accomplished by working with employers in the community to encourage and support active and sustainable transportation and increase transit ridership through program incentives and promotions.
| If you would like to have your organization recognized alongside sustainability leaders in the business, academia, government and non-profit sectors, please consider becoming a featured sponsor for a 2021 event. Contact funddevelopment@sustainablewaterlooregion.ca and find out how you can join this list of organizations leading the way to build back better! |