Investments to increase environmental sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises

FREDERICTON (GNB) - The provincial and federal governments are investing in the creation of a blueprint that will support the decarbonization of small and medium-sized enterprises.

"Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the province's economy and contribute significantly to the supply chains of large industry in New Brunswick," said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Greg Turner, who is also minister responsible for Opportunities NB. "It is critical that we support them in greening their operations to enhance competitiveness while reducing their carbon footprint to align with the decarbonization goals of large industries."

The project will include the gathering of information, a conference and a social innovation lab. It will be delivered by NouLAB at the Pond-Deshpande Centre in collaboration with the New Brunswick Business Council and the provincial and federal governments. Academia, large industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, community organizations, industry and governments will be engaged during the project.

"New Brunswickers care both about protecting the environment and supporting local businesses that help our communities to grow and thrive," said Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin. "This project will help provide small and medium enterprises with the information and tools they need to transition to greener practices and meet environmental goals, while staying competitive and contributing to a net-zero economy. When we invest in Atlantic Canadian businesses and the partners that support them, we grow the region's potential and the economy."

Atwin attended for federal Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings, who is also minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The provincial government is investing $450,000 in the project while the federal government is providing $643,440.

"As New Brunswick's social innovation organization, we are deeply committed to working together with partners to build a more sustainable and resilient economy," said Katie Davey, executive director of the Pond-Deshpande Centre. "Through this project, we aim to harness the collective expertise and creativity of New Brunswick's vibrant communities, including small and medium-sized enterprises, academia and industry leaders, to co-create tangible, innovative solutions that will not only reduce our carbon footprint but also propel our local businesses towards a greener and more competitive future."

The project is expected to result in:

• New resources and tools to help small and medium-sized enterprises to decarbonize.
• A better understanding of the decarbonization issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
• More small businesses implementing sustainable practices and reducing their environmental impact.
• Small and medium-sized enterprises becoming more competitive by moving towards decarbonization.
• Better alignment of government support for small and medium-sized enterprises as they decarbonize.
• New economic opportunities for small businesses as they transition to more sustainable operations.

This investment aligns with the government's climate change action plan, Our Pathway Towards Decarbonization and Climate Resilience, which lays out steps intended to help the province thrive in a low-carbon economy and build resiliency in businesses.

Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the province. It seeks to attract and support opportunities to stimulate the economy and create jobs by providing support services for businesses across the province.

22-03-24

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.