The California Air Resources Board, aka ARB, is accepting applications for its seventh CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards Program. The program recognizes small businesses that integrate environmental stewardship and sustainability into their business practices.
Companies eligible to compete for a CoolCalifornia Small Business Award are small businesses in California that “demonstrate climate leadership by reducing energy use, conserving water, recycling/reusing materials, and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.” (El Consejo de Recursos del Aire de California aceptará las solicitudes para su séptima premiación del programa “CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards Program El programa premia a quienes incorporan prácticas sostenibles y de protección ambiental en sus empresas.)
“Small businesses across the state have consistently demonstrated that making smart climate-friendly choices is good for the environment and for their bottom line,” ARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said. “Now in its seventh year, the CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards Program provides an opportunity to recognize the leadership and innovation of small businesses that are taking actions to save money while reducing their environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.” (“Las pequeñas empresas de todo el estado han demostrado, de manera consistente, que efectuar decisiones inteligentes benefician al medio ambiente y a sus bolsillos,” dijo la presidenta del ARB Mary D. Nichols. “En sus siete años, el programa ‘CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards Program,’ ha tenido la oportunidad de reconocer el liderazgo y la innovación de las pequeñas empresas que han tomado acción para ahorrar dinero al mismo tiempo que han disminuido los impactos negativos contra nuestro medio ambiente y reducido los gases de efecto invernadero.”)
Last year CARB recognized 19 small businesses that took a variety of actions to save money while reducing their environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. These included installing light emitting diode (LED) lights, wind turbines, solar panels and energy efficient equipment; purchasing or using hybrid, electric, or biofuel vehicles; composting food waste and plant material; using recycled/reused/re-purposed products; digitizing paperwork and reports; and starting or enhancing recycling and water conservation programs
Two Cool California Categories
Awards will be given to small businesses in two categories:
- CoolCalifornia Small Business of the Year Award: Awarded to small businesses that have taken significant actions to reduce their climate impacts, demonstrated measurable greenhouse gas reductions and documented benefits from the actions they have taken (e.g., cost savings, return on investment, etc.) by using tools such as the CoolCalifornia small business carbon calculator.
- CoolCalifornia Climate Leader Award: Awarded to small businesses that were proactive in reducing their environmental impacts and can describe in detail the specific actions taken to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year CARB recognized 19 small businesses that took a variety of actions to save money while reducing their environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. These included installing light emitting diode (LED) lights, wind turbines, solar panels and energy efficient equipment; purchasing or using hybrid, electric, or biofuel vehicles; composting food waste and plant material; using recycled/reused/repurposed products; digitizing paperwork and reports; and starting or enhancing recycling and water conservation programs.
More CoolCalifornia Information
- Find last year’s winners here: http://www.coolcalifornia.org/2015-award-winners
- For more information on the program, watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnKoXbUfPYU&feature=youtu.be&list=PLjtsVhif1TSpkhllvryA-Y-vwiMhrBKNN
