ENHANCE YOUR OPERATIONS
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
A great way to get started with clean energy and sustainability is to review your chamber’s operations to see if you can make easy, free, or “member-sponsored” changes to improve energy efficiency, save money on your utility bills, or call attention to your chamber’s contributions. This can include upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, optimizing heating and cooling systems, and reducing waste. By adopting these measures, you can reduce your operational costs and inspire your member businesses to follow suit.
Simple energy and sustainability-friendly upgrades:
Establish a “Green Team” within your staff to brainstorm how to improve energy usage, waste reduction, and other sustainability practices
Retrofit your chamber building for energy efficiency or clean energy add-ons in placing an EV charger at your chamber office or visitor center. Chambers with EV charging stations:
Consider purchasing an EV as your official chamber vehicle: Approach an EV car dealer to see if they are interested in trading a lease for membership with advertising for their dealership on the vehicle and/or in the chamber offices.
Go one step further: Host a workshop for your member businesses showcasing your chamber’s initiative and provide resources on implementing energy efficiency and sustainability practices.
CHAMBERS IN ACTION
Click below to see examples from around the country.
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The Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce unveiled a newly improved facility – the largest sustainable project in the downtown area. The chamber gutted the building, modernizing the interior and adding solar panels, helping firmly establish Sun Prairie as a leader in sustainability.
"We are proud to lead the way in embracing renewable energy sources and achieve a 100% that zero facility in our community," Christina Williams, Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
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The Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce office and visitor’s center underwent a full interior remodel with the goal of increasing energy efficiency. Improvements included installing LED lights, lowering the ceiling with insulation, and covering the concrete walls with drywall.
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The Greater Houston Partnership’s downtown Partnership Tower includes a LEED Platinum build-out on floors 9 and 10. The 53,000 SF lease space regularly hosts leaders from across the globe considering doing business in the Bayou City and features collaboration areas, conference rooms, private offices, a private VIP suite and a terrace overlooking Discovery Green.
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The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is opening a sustainable coworking, event space, and coffee shop as the headquarters for the Yes SF, Urban Sustainability Challenge. The Yes SF HQ is the first space to take advantage of recently-passed legislation allowing for groundfloor “flexible workspace” use as part of San Francisco’s downtown recovery efforts.
“Yes SF uniquely brings private and public sectors together to push a vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient city. San Francisco is already a global leader in sustainability, and I believe that through this collaborative effort, we can reach our goal of a revitalized and greener downtown.” Rodney Fong, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce President & CEO
Want to help your chamber lead by example?
Reach out to info@chambersforinnovation.com for personalized assistance.