Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about Climate Smart?
Who from my organization should attend the training sessions?
How long does the process take?
How much staff time does the process take?
How much does it cost to participate in Climate Smart?
Where can I attend the training sessions?
How many other companies will I be training with?
What will I learn at each session?
Who can I call if I have technical questions?
What is the range of company sizes that participates in Climate Smart?
What are the potential cost savings and PR benefits that I could reap by participating in a Climate Smart training session?

What is unique about Climate Smart?

Climate Smart offers a unique combination of training, tools and technical assistance to enable small and medium sized businesses and organizations to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, to make informed decisions about carbon offsets, and to communicate compellingly about the action they're taking on climate change. Participating in the Climate Smart Program builds enterprises' internal capacity in greenhouse gas management. We present three training sessions designed specifically for small and medium sized enterprises, provide a user-friendly, web-based GHG management tool, and offer up to four hours of technical support via phone and email to each participating company.


Who from my organization should attend the training sessions?

Each company or organization is invited to bring two people to each training session. It is very helpful if one of the people attending will be able to help locate emissions data (e.g., electricity, gas and fuel bills, travel records, etc.). It is also helpful if one of those attending is a leader within the organization and can be a champion of the work you'll be doing. Of course, you will know best who should attend from your business.

How long does the process take?

The Climate Smart process typically follows a 2.5 month timeline. During this time, companies attend three half-day training sessions (at which they learn about measuring, reducing, and offsetting emissions as well as leveraging these reductions to yield PR benefits and brand lift), complete a greenhouse gas inventory, have their inventory reviewed by Climate Smart technical experts, and develop strategies for reducing emissions. Participating companies become members in Climate Smart's network of alumni and have access to our GHG management tool for one year.

How much staff time does the process take?

In addition to the three, four-hour worshops, time spent on the GHG inventory and developing reduction strategies varies widely. The average is approximately 25 person-hours.

How much does it cost to participate in Climate Smart?

Although the cost of participating in the Climate Smart Program can vary (depending on the role taken by the Climate Smart Host Partner), the typical participation fee is $1500 (plus GST) for up to two representatives from each company. This includes three half-day training sessions, access to the GHG management tool for a year, and up to four hours of technical assistance (any time over that year).

Where can I attend the training sessions?

The location of the training sessions depends on the hosting arrangement. In the past, training sessions have been held in Vancouver, Tofino, Kelowna, Whistler, Victoria BC, and Portland, OR. Training sessions are scheduled in 2010 in Whistler, Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland, BC. We recommend that you check the Climate Smart website frequently to link up with a training sessions near you.

How many other companies will I be training with?

Training sessions usually accommodate 15 companies, with up to two representatives from each (up to 30 individuals in total).

What will I learn at each session?

Session 1: Measure

After the first session, participants are able to identify the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions from their operations, understand the core principles of a conducting a greenhouse gas inventory, distinguish between various types of indirect and direct greenhouse gas emissions, identify data sources that will help to complete a greenhouse gas inventory. Participants leave the first training session ready to complete a GHG inventory for their business or organization.

Session 2: Reduce

After the second session participants are able to identify key greenhouse gas reduction strategies, prioritize these strategies in terms of potential GHG reduction and implementation costs, and begin to consider emissions reduction targets.

Session 3: Leverage

Participants leave the third training session with an understanding of the voluntary carbon offset market and carbon offset standards, as well as best practice in communicating around their greenhouse gas management strategy.

Who can I call if I have technical questions?

Up to four hours of technical assistance is provided via phone and email for each company. This support is provided by our team of technical associates, who are experienced in GHG inventorying and developing reduction strategies.

What is the range of company sizes that participates in Climate Smart?

Climate Smart is best suited to businesses with staffs of five to 500. The average annual carbon footprint of a Climate Smart Business is 713 tonnes CO2e.

What are the potential cost savings and PR benefits that I could reap by participating in the Climate Smart Program?

Real incentives for greenhouse gas emissions reductions have been provided by the British Columbia carbon tax (implemented in 2008). The first-year average savings in transportation fuel, energy, and carbon tax by meeting the provincial GHG emissions reductions target (of 33% below 2007 by 2020) is $6,125.

Our alumni report that, having participated in the Climate Smart Program, they have been better able to respond to client and customer demand for environmentally responsible products and services. They have also reported increased sales due to their real and measurable commitment to sustainability.