On Monday, organizations, individuals and businesses were recognized for their efforts in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and encouraging sustainability in Kingston. The Sustainable Kingston Sustainability Awards are awarded annually in Kingston and recognize the community’s achievements in sustainability.
Geoff Hendry, Manager of Communications and Business Development at Sustainable Kingston, shared details about the flagship program sustainably.eco. This platform helps connect people with businesses making a demonstrable impact in reducing their carbon footprint. Participating businesses and organizations receive a carbon footprint analysis where a GHG emissions benchmark is established.
“We work out an action plan together, and throughout the process, the business/org has their profile on sustainably.eco. Through this platform, they have an opportunity to earn badges that inform the public of their specific achievements and help consumers make sustainably-minded choices,” Hendry added.
One of the winners, Earthub Kingston, has only been in Kingston for over nine months. Earthub Kingston attributes this recognition award to the efforts of its volunteers.
“We have all worked really hard. Our success is a validation that Kingston wants to be a greener community. It will keep pushing us forward to do even more in 2022! To be recognized in our first nine months in operation has me very excited to see what the future holds for Earthub Kingston,” Rebecca Hannaford, District Lead for Earthub Kingston, said.
Other winners this year are also committed to sustainability and mitigating the climate emergency, including two students Maeve Cotton and Danica Hassen from Bayridge Secondary School. Being co-winners of the Youth Sustainability Champion Award, they have helped their school reach Platinum status in sustainability efforts.Â
Hendry noted how Queen’s University has shown that a large institution can meet ambitious goals when sustainability is valued from the top-down through strategic planning and becomes part of operations and academic culture.
Lanark Country and J.E Agnew Food Services are also among the winners for their core role in sustainability efforts through community and corporate culture respectively.
