by jbs050509 e3 — May 8, 2009—The California Air Resources Board has approved a prototype toolkit that it will begin marketing to the state’s 3.4 million small businesses to help them reduce energy costs and help the state meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction goals under AB 32.
The toolkit, still under development, can be found at CoolCalifornia.org and includes cost-effective actions, checklists, funding opportunities, success stories, and a calculator that helps business owners voluntarily reduce their carbon footprint. Also included is a small business award program.
The main goals of the toolkit are to:
- Emphasize that cost savings often go hand-in-hand with emission reduction strategies;
- Highlight success stories that can be replicated by other small business owners;
- Aid businesses in estimating their carbon footprint;
- Recognize and award small businesses who demonstrate climate leadership; and
- Provide business-to-business networking opportunities.
The toolkit provides specific tips designed to save money and reduce emissions: save energy; drive less and drive clean; use green energy; save water; recycle and cut waste; buy green; be a green business; and build green.
ARB is treating the toolkit as a living document and is still looking for input as part of its continuous improvement. A local government toolkit is expected to be considered by the Board in May.
