March 14, 2018 – Vancouver, CANADA

Today, GLOBE Series presented GLOBE Climate Leadership Awards to two municipalities and two businesses at GLOBE Forum in Vancouver. The awards recognize exceptional Canadian organizations that are at the forefront of action on climate change.

Over a four-week period, 86 applications were submitted, and four winners were chosen. The selection panels consisted of members from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the Business Council of Canada, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Smart Prosperity Leaders’ Initiative, and BASF Canada, along with officials from GLOBE Series and The Delphi Group. Judges looked at the ingenuity of the climate action innovations, the measure of the impacts on climate change, the adoptability of the innovations, and the level of engagement with residents and other organizations to take climate action.

The 2018 GLOBE Climate Leadership Awards recipients are:

Small/Medium Business Innovator – S2E Technologies

This company from St. Jacobs, Ontario was recognized for their smart communities, renewable energy, and micro-grid projects, and for their leadership and commitment to influence and engage stakeholders and policy to help advance local solutions to climate change.

Large Business Innovator – Bentall Kennedy

Bentall Kennedy is seen as an innovator because of its forward-looking approach to reducing its impact on the environment. The company also demonstrates leadership on climate action at home through its work with the Real Estate and Finance Community in Canada, and globally as the co-chair of the UNEP FI Property Working Group.

Small Municipal Trailblazer – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

Through their Community Energy Investment Plan, Bridgewater is putting in place unique and innovative climate mitigation activities to help create opportunities to renew the community and its economy. This plan includes making energy efficient retrofits to the community’s buildings, installing solar, wind and hydro generating energy and storage systems, and developing clean and active transportation systems such as expanding transit systems and electrifying the community’s vehicle fleets.

Large Municipal Trailblazer – Guelph, Ontario

Guelph takes a multi-faceted and holistic approach to fighting climate change. This includes energy management and retrofits, commitment to renewable energy projects, reducing carbon pollution through public transit, setting emissions targets, engaging local businesses with its Task Force on Community Energy and many more initiatives.

The GLOBE Climate Leadership Awards were presented with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal department of Environment and Climate Change, and in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Business Council of Canada, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

More information about the awards, including the winners’ videos, is available here: globeseries.com/forum2018/awards-en

Quotes

“Businesses and municipalities across Canada are at the forefront of action on climate change. I’m proud to recognize these exceptional local and corporate leaders working hard to reduce carbon pollution, promote more sustainable practices, and put clean energy solutions into action. Their innovation, creativity, and leadership will help inspire others to take action – making our communities stronger, creating new jobs and business opportunities, and growing Canada’s clean economy.”
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“These outstanding Canadian businesses and municipalities are shining examples of what leadership in the 21^st century looks like. They are paving the way for other organizations to not only survive but thrive in the clean economy.”
– Mike Gerbis, CEO, GLOBE Series

Contact

Media Relations
Alex Carr, GLOBE Series
1-778-384-8711
acarr@delphi.ca

GLOBE Forum 2018 website: www.globeseries.com/forum2018

GLOBE Series’ Twitter account: www.twitter.com/GLOBE_Series

GLOBE Series’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/GLOBEseries

Vancouver, Canada – On March 14th, notable Vancouver buildings and landmarks will glow blue in support of protecting our oceans, which is being showcased at GLOBE Forum 2018 (March 14-16) – North America’s largest and longest-running Leadership Summit on Sustainable Business.

B.C. Place, the Sails of Light at Canada Place, the Vancouver Lookout and Harbour Centre, Science World at TELUS World of Science, TELUS Garden, the Birks Building, the Kalen Capital Building, the Leckie Building, the district markers at the Vancouver Convention Centre and the Olympic Cauldron arms are participating.

This unique initiative complements a number of special sessions and programs at GLOBE Forum, which explore the role business, government and civil society can play to protect our oceans and include:

• A three-day exhibition by one of the world’s most highly acclaimed nature photographers, Paul Nicklen. As an assignment photographer for National Geographic, Paul’s evocative imagery has garnered over 30 of the highest awards given to any photographer in his field.

• Several inspirational conservationists will be presenting their mission at GLOBE Forum, including Emily Penn, Expedition Leader, Skipper, Artist, and Ocean Advocate, and Pete Bethune, “Captain Planet”, Engineer, and Skipper. Emily was recently honoured with the Fitzroy Award at the 2016 Ocean Awards and is also the youngest and only female recipient of both the Yachtmaster of the Year and Seamaster of the Year awards. Pete is best known for his epic journey in the Earthrace boat and his promotion of the use of sustainable biofuel.

To tackle the global crisis of ocean plastic, Ocean Wise® today launched the #BePlasticWise pledge to reduce disposable plastic use at GLOBE Forum. The #BePlasticWise pledge asks people to commit to monthly challenges to replace their use of single-use plastic items – such as plastic straws, bags, cutlery, food packaging and water bottles with ocean-friendly alternatives. Sign the pledge at ocean.org/pledge.

Quotes

Nancy Wright, Chief Operating Officer at GLOBE Series
“In many ways, Canada and Canadians have been defined by our relationship with the ocean, and with our lakes and rivers. We are proud that these Vancouver landmarks and buildings are literally shining a light on the plight of our oceans, and reminding us that we need to protect what we love.”

Dr. John Nightingale, President and CEO at Ocean Wise
“Ocean Wise® is tackling the global crisis of plastic waste in our ocean to reduce the amount entering our ocean. More than ever, our ocean needs the help of individuals, businesses and government to do their part in reducing single-use plastic waste. Join us in this effort by taking a pledge to break your pattern and protect our ocean at ocean.org/pledge.”

Dr. Scott Sampson, CEO, Science World
“We are honoured to be able to support this critically important message by illuminating Science World’s dome in blue on March 14th. It’s inspiring to see the community come together in an effort to educate and protect our planet’s oceans, and essential to ensuring that the next generation can enjoy one of our world’s greatest natural wonders.”

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GLOBE Series is a Canadian-based convener of events that educate, empower, and connect leaders in pursuit of a cleaner, more prosperous world. Since 1990, our events have brought together over 170,000 participants from business, government and civil society across 97 countries. Our flagship event is GLOBE Forum, North America’s largest and longest-running Leadership Summit for Sustainable Business, which takes place in Vancouver every two years. For more information visit www.globeseries.com, follow us on Twitter @GLOBE_Series

Media Contact

Jehn Benoit
Media Advisor, GLOBE Series
Email: Jehnifer.Benoit@globeseries.com
Cell: 604.360.818