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Welcome to the July 2015 edition of CoLab Connect!
 

Highlights this month across the CoLab Network include the launch of Carbon 613 in Ottawa, Niagara Sustainability Initiative’s  4th annual sustainability gala, and how, together with the Network, we've been telling the story of progress being made towards the low-carbon economy in communities across Ontario. We released our first annual report, titled “While You Were Sleeping”, at CoLab Connects 2015 in Toronto in mid-June.
 
Meanwhile, the Government of Ontario hosted the Climate Summit of the Americas earlier this month, where subnational governments from across the continent came together to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. For our take on the summit, we’ve included a blog post with reflections on the event.
 
Read on for details on all this and more.

Mike and Jess
NSI Recognizes Business Sustainability Achievements & Hires New ED

Niagara Sustainability Initiative (NSI) celebrated the sustainability efforts of businesses in Niagara at their 4th Annual Evening of Recognition on May 19 at White Oaks Resort and Spa. Over 150 people attended and the evening featured a lively panel discussion by NSI’s Carbon Project members reflecting on the value they get out of the program and sharing ideas for achieving deeper carbon reductions. You can view the event photos here and check out NSI’s Carbon Project video.

NSI also recently announced the addition of Tikvah Mindorff as the new Executive Director (ED), in place of former ED Katrina Kroeze. Katrina was a passionate and committed ED who greatly contributed to the success of The Carbon Project. We wish her all the best in her new adventures. Good luck, Katrina, and welcome, Tikvah – we look forward to working together and seeing The Carbon Project taken to new heights!

EnviroCentre Launches Carbon613

On June 23, EnviroCentre celebrated the launch of its target-based sustainability program, Carbon613. The program will support Ottawa businesses in setting targets and working to reduce their carbon impact, track results and publicly celebrate progress.

Photo credit: EnviroCentre

The event took place at the Kichesippi Brewery and provided attendees – over 100 people representing 60+ individual companies – the opportunity to learn about the program, network with like-minded local businesses and enjoy some of Ottawa’s finest craft beer. Michael Murr, EnviroCentre’s Executive Director remarked “We’re ready to show local businesses how we can all work together towards a common goal of greenhouse gas reduction.” Read more about the launch in Ottawa Community News and in EnviroCentre’s media release. View photos from the event here!

The launch of Carbon613 marks the second time one of CoLab’s Emerging Members has transitioned to become an Affiliate Member (the first being Durham Partners in Project Green back in January 2015).
JOB & VOLUNTEER POSTINGS

Durham Sustain Ability is looking for two Event Coordinator volunteers to support their upcoming event season.

Sustainable Waterloo Region is hiring a Regional Carbon Initiative Member Engagement Coordinator, and recruiting for
two volunteer positions: Funding Relationship Coordinator and Community Relations Coordinator.

Sustainability CoLab is searching for a
Newsletter & Special Projects Coordinator.

THE COLAB BLOG

Check out Mike’s latest posts! One was published as part of The McConnell Foundation’s COP21 Blog Series on a low-carbon economy emerging in Ontario communities.

The other reflects on the Climate Summit of the Americas and how subnational jurisdictions are being empowered to take action on climate change.
CoLab Connects 2015 Sparked Conversation on the Low-Carbon Economy
On June 17th, over 200 people came together to celebrate the CoLab Network's progress and engage in dialogue on how to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The reception included insights from business leaders and candid commentary from national thought-leaders on what’s needed to address climate change.
That same night, CoLab released its 2014/15 Annual Report – our first ever – and it’s full of information to get to know us better, discover the impact our Network is having, and see how both CoLab and our supporters envision the low-carbon future. Read the report here!
We want to thank all those who joined us in celebrating and inspiring such vibrant conversation. Check out all the event photos here and re-live the Twitter conversation on Storify.

Did you attend CoLab Connects 2015? Help us plan next year's event by completing this 3 minute survey.
Collaboration at our first annual CoLab Connects Peer to Peer Workshop

On the morning of CoLab Connects 2015, we organized the year’s first in-person peer to peer workshop, with all seven of our Network Members participating. The room was abuzz; members shared challenges, brainstormed solutions and connected with their peers over shared enthusiasm to see sustainability target-setting in businesses grow. The day included interactive sessions, conversations on topics such as measuring impact and holistic sustainability reporting, and a presentation on the implications of a cap and trade system in Ontario. See photos from the session here.
Check out the CoLab Video!
 
Produced by our friends at Barn Door Creative, we now have a video to help tell our story and highlight the power of the CoLab Network. Have a look, and feel free to share it with colleagues, through your networks, and on social media.  Now sit back, put your headphones in, and enjoy.
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