City of Fort Collins Climate Wise Program The Second Annual Conference of the Colorado Climate Network Climate Action in Fort Collins: Lessons Learned from a GHG-reduction program Kathy Collier Climate Wise, City of Fort Collins December 8, 2011
Climate Wise: Business Outreach Program Promotes voluntary GHG reduction Energy Waste Water Transportation Education Benefits Technical assistance Public recognition Peer networking Carbon quantification Cost savings
Why Climate Wise partners are so important
Climate Wise Program: What we ve learned Interpersonal channels and accountability are the most effective way to change behavior. Tribbia, 2000 During 2010, only 10 of 183 eligible Climate Wise business partners were inactive in the program.
Climate Wise Program: What we ve learned Be the SUUUPER HERO! For any organization interested in greening their agency or company, Climate Wise is a wonderful catalyst! They not only hold your feet to the fire to meet partnership goals, but they make sure you have thick socks so you don t get burned. The staff are experts at showing us how, pointing us in helpful directions, and being a great resource. Deni LaRue, Larimer County Government
Climate Wise Program: What we ve learned Invest in active feedback from participants 2009 Committee: Are we done? 2010 Committee: Excitement! Great ideas!
Climate Wise Program: What we ve learned Look to the service providers for help Protect confidentiality (as much as possible) Catering to the squeaky wheels : Educate and place them on a committee! Keep it fresh continuous improvement Partner Orientation and other periodic meetings Partner Levels help businesses strive to achieve more
Climate Wise Program: What we ve learned Leverage advertising dollars ask for sponsorships and help! NCBR Chamber of Commerce Convention Visitor s Bureau CSU Service Learning Be Local US Green Building Council No CO Branch
Climate Wise Program: Opportunities for Improvement Continuous growth of 20-45% per year: squeezing out more efficiency Running mentoring/volunteer program is a lot of work! Tapping in to the 33,243 employees who are part of the program Engagement of out-of-state building owners List Serv
Climate Wise Program: Opportunities for Improvement Quantification of the 985 efficiency projects completed last year - More than 700 quantify for GHG; Only 250 on cost savings Recycling/Waste Reduction Start solid waste/recycling program Internal materials reuse program Use silverware instead of plastic Construction and demolition recycling Hold Zero Waste meetings and events Energy Conservation Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances Lighting projects Cooling Tower Turn off computers/lights Efficient HVAC upgrade Transportation Alternative Transportation Hybrid vehicle use Trip optimization Water Conservation Xeriscaping Aerator replacement Sprinkler audit/optimization Indoor fixture replacement
Expansion opportunities Potential Benefits Regional Climate Wise businesses could report GHG for operations, not just Fort Collins Can solicit for large corporate sponsors and larger grants Multiple service area providers can refine messaging (e.g., Xcel, PVREA, GEO, muni-owned utilities, waste haulers?)
Expansion challenges Questions / Issues Hands-on program has high effectiveness, yet would need to have staff overhead and/or volunteers Look for more collaborative support for business co-ops for purchasing, etc. Branding of existing programs? Climate Wise and PACE well recognized Local/county governments would need to support program allow 2 years to show success Levels are great focus on GHG reduction or similar to Climate Wise?
Typical Questions asked Assessments How are they conducted? What types of businesses receive self-assessments? How is confidentiality kept? Who attends? Events/Workshops/Meetings What is the purpose/function of each? What types of businesses receive self-assessments? How is confidentiality kept? Reporting What is reporting structure? What do you use for reporting? Public Recognition Benefit at each level? Marketing materials? Programmatic Any push back using the word climate? Why did the City continue to fund? What is the role of the Advisory Committee? What is your Climate Wise GHG baseline tool? Partnerships Which partnerships were most beneficial?
Questions? Comments? Thank you! Kathy Collier, Program Manager 970.221.6312 kcollier@fcgov.com www.fcgov.com/climatewise