Our two-stage Greening Your Business Program involves Regional Development Authority (RDA) Train-the-Trainer sessions and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Lunch-and-Learn sessions hosted by the Eco-Efficiency Centre (EEC).

RDA Train-the-Trainer Sessions

The EEC will train interested RDAs on how to conduct no-cost energy and environmental reviews of local SMEs. Participating RDAs will then be asked to conduct walkthroughs of local businesses and prepare summary reports of opportunities for reducing energy, water, chemicals, and waste. These walkthroughs help businesses throughout Nova Scotia identify opportunities to enhance their productivity and optimize their environmental performance and operational efficiency. The Eco-Efficiency Centre will provide support to RDAs with the goal of helping them create their own Greening Your Business Programs. 

This initiative is modeled after the EEC's past Sustainable Prosperity Program for SMEs (SP2S). A pilot launched with the Colchester Regional Development Agency (CoRDA) in 2009 resulted in the creation of their own Greening Your Business Program. CoRDA's program follows the four steps outlined in the EEC SP2S (pre-review survey, customized review, review report, and follow-up survey). For more information on CoRDA’s "Greening Your Business Program", please click here.

SME Lunch-and-Learn Sessions  

In addition to the RDA Train-the-Trainer sessions, the EEC offers specialized Lunch-and Learn sessions on a number of relevant eco-efficiency topics for SMEs (e.g. Material Exchange Workshops). Participating RDAs can work with the Eco-Efficiency Centre to organize and co-host Lunch-and-Learn sessions in their region. The goal is to help SMEs learn about a variety of issues pertaining to the economic and environmental performance of their business. Presentation topics include: Energy Efficiency, Water Conservation, Hazardous Chemical Management, Employee Engagement, Solid Waste Management, and Carbon Footprinting.

If you are an RDA official interested in participating in this program, or a small business owner looking for assistance, please contact the Centre at eecentre@dal.ca or 902-461-6704.