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Sustainable Energy

WHY TAKE THE PLEDGE?

 

Sustainability is about creating and maintaining strong, prosperous communities - for the long haul.

 

Here at home, it's about the betterment of the region and continuously looking for new ways to grow through smart and intentional actions. It's about building a community that's good for people, in an atmosphere for growth, while being kind to the environment.

 

We have the opportunity to be a catalyst for expanding social and economic opportunities, which enrich the quality of life our region provides. It's bigger than just reducing, reusing or recycling. Working together to create a sustainable community creates a sense of belonging, and paves the way where we all prosper, both today work to create a future filled with tomorrows. 

Taking the Great Lakes Bay Sustainability Pledge has the potential to reduce your environmental footprint, help to promote your organization, make your organization attractive to prospective and existing talent, grow your network and even save you money. As a Pledge participant, you'll have the opportunity to share your successes, serve as a role model for other organizations, and make a positive impact within the community. 

 

Once registered as a Pledge member, your organization will be featured and recognized on GLBRA channels, at events, and with other Pledge participants. Pledge participants will be promoted on social media and those willing will be able to highlight their sustainability story on the GLBRA website.

HOW DOES THE PLEDGE WORK?

 

There are three tiers of Pledge participation that ensure that any organization can start their sustainability journey: beginner, specialist and innovator. The Pledge is an assessment of  your current state and a commitment to explore and implement new actions going forward. Organizations in all tiers will complete an internal assessment / self-evaluation, and have access to web-based resources on our website and access to learning forums and events. The website includes a variety of resources, sample actions and tips for establishing SMART goals to address areas of improvement identified in their self evaluation.

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Tiers: Great Lakes Bay Region Sustainability Pledge

BEGINNER (LEARNING)

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Organizations that are new to sustainability but want to take the first steps to learn more. This could be any organization interested in learning more through a guided process, like Midland Center for the Arts, as they work to redesign new facilities and want to make sustainability part of the equation.

SPECIALIST (PRACTICING)

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You've done the initial work and completed the basics. Now, you're ready to advance your journey in additional ways and create impactful outcomes around sustainability, like Michigan Sugar Company's $65M desugarization facility, an investment for more yield off existing land.

Agricultural Gardens

INNOVATOR (ADVANCING)

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Organizations with an extensive committed to sustainability; both up and downstream. Sustainability is embedded in your culture and daily operations. At this level, you could be doing any number of things including designing for sustainability in new or existing operations, measuring or reducing your carbon footprint, running a robust recycling or reuse program, purchasing carbon offsets, publishing a sustainability report or collaborating with other organizations in your supply chain. Examples include Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's appointment of a Sustainability Administrator or SPACE, Inc's reuse and upcycling of existing office furniture.

Examples of Pledge actions could include:
 

  • Start a composting operation in waste management or increase the volume of waste recycled

  • Offset carbon emissions through a formal program, by local tree-planting, or other greening initiatives

  • Contribute a portion of annual revenues to environmental or conservation initiatives in the region

  • Implement employee incentives for more sustainable behavior in the workplace

  • Increase the percentage of materials sourced within 100 miles of your organization

COLLABORATE

 

Become a pledge participant and you will become a member of the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum for a year.  This gives you access to regional programs and themed work groups such as circular economy, campus sustainability, solid waste, equity, etc.

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