ECO Canada has partnered with Alberta Ecotrust Foundation to improve accessibility of financing and/or incentive programs for emission reductions for underserved small and medium size enterprises. 

SMEs have a key role in meeting Canada’s commitment to Net Zero goals. However, many SMEs are often challenged with lack of enough resources and subject knowledge to pursue climate action on their own. ECO Canada will work in collaboration with minority-owned SMEs to understand the barriers small businesses encounter to reduce their GHG emissions, access resources such as government funding and incentive programs, and information on new and updated regulations.

To help alleviate climate action barriers, ECO Canada will work with minority-owned SMEs and subject matter experts for the creation of GHG Reduction toolkit for SMEs and promotion of sustainable procurement practices. The toolkit will provide resources on reduction strategies for a range of common emission sources, funding, financing, and incentive programs, as well as potential regulatory and process barriers.

Primary partners of this project will be minority-owned SMEs in Calgary, particularly black, Indigenous, people of colour (BIPOC), and/or women. Through this project, ECO Canada aims to support the SMEs in Calgary adopt practices that will not only help mitigate climate change, but also be beneficial to the long-term success of their business.

From this project, ECO Canada aims to accomplish three main benefits for communities:

-             Energy Affordability

-             Economic Development

-             Reconciliation and EDI