The Brampton Board of Trade’s Energy and Environment Forum took place on April 16th, 2024, at the Canon Canada Headquarters. This annual event brought together leaders and experts from various industries to delve into strategies for greening businesses and achieving sustainability objectives. BBOT was lucky enough to collaborate with Canon Canada to utilize their LEED Gold certified building, befitting of an event about sustainability in business. Canon’s facilities showcase what Brampton has to offer in the way of corporate leadership in sustainability.
The forum featured four informative panels covering topics such as retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency, navigating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as responsible businesses, investing and implementing electrified fleets, and attaining a net-zero workforce. Panelists came from a range of public and private sector organizations as well as academia. This led to insightful discussion that covered a multitude of angles and considerations.
Among the highlights was a keynote address by GoodLot Brewery, showcasing their impressive sustainable micro-farming practices, and insights from Making Waves on their journey to B Corp certification. Additionally, attendees had the privilege of hearing from Councillor Rowena Santos, a local representative who shares a passion for environmentalism, social justice and sustainability.
The event served as a platform for meaningful conversations on the future landscape of business sustainability. Attendees had ample time to network and connect with one another, discuss opportunities, expand their business, and learn from individuals with whom they would not normally interact.
With impending regulations, evolving policies, and rising consumer expectations, the imperative for green businesses is clear. Panelists and speakers offered practical recommendations for businesses to implement, addressing both current challenges and future opportunities. The green build and retrofit panel explored various programs and funding avenues to facilitate retrofit and submetering investments. The ESG and SDG panel explored strategies for effectively measuring sustainability goals while steering clear of greenwashing practices. At the fleet electrification panel, attendees were enlightened on the process of transitioning to electric vehicles, with valuable insights shared by Brampton Transit emphasizing long-term cost savings. Finally, the net zero workforce panel discussed the essential skills required for the future economy and how to empower the current workforce through reskilling initiatives.
As businesses increasingly recognize the importance of environmental stewardship, forums like these provide invaluable insights and networking opportunities to drive meaningful change in the Brampton business community and beyond. The engagement and expertise shared at the Energy and Environment Forum underscored Brampton’s commitment to sustainable and responsible growth and innovation. Brampton is a hub of industry and naturally there is ample opportunity for leadership in corporate and industrial sustainability. We look forward to building on these discussions and collaborations in the pursuit of a greener future. If you have any suggestions on future programming, please drop me a line at vsingh@bramptonbot.com!
