Kelowna, BC, June 25, 2024: The City of Kelowna has partnered with GreenStep Solutions to launch GreenStep Certified, a program to help businesses go green and take climate action. The goal of the program is to drive measurable emissions reduction and environmental stewardship through the promotion of energy efficiency, water conservation, low-carbon transportation, waste reduction, ecosystem restoration, and other climate action initiatives, that help business owners save costs and reduce emissions in alignment with the City of Kelowna’s climate and environmental goals.

“The business sector is a critical component of achieving the City of Kelowna’s climate action goals. Through GreenStep Certified,  the City and GreenStep have done the heavy lifting, and we are excited to bring a low barrier program to support local businesses in Kelowna.” – Chris Ray, Climate Action & Environment Manager, City of Kelowna

The program involves the following five steps for businesses that sign up:

1. Complete a self-assessment and schedule an onsite or virtual visit with an assessor
2. Participate in the virtual or onsite visit to review and discuss your self-assessment responses
3. Receive expert coaching and a short-term action plan for improvement, including how to access further support through FortisBC rebates
4. Implement actions and send evidence
5. Receive a final report, assessment score, and marketing toolkit to promote certification

The GreenStep Certified Business program is open to all types of businesses. FortisBC is supporting the program by subsidizing covering a portion the cost of certification for its customers. More information about costs and how the program works can be found at GreenStep Certified – Kelowna.

An informational webinar will be held on July 9 at 10 am PST, and interested businesses can register HERE or request additional information by booking a free consultation.

In 2025, a report will be provided to the City to quantify the collective positive impacts of the program from a climate and participating business perspective.

“GreenStep is excited to be partnering with the City of Kelowna to launch the GreenStep Certified program in our own backyard! This program will empower local businesses with the knowledge to contribute to our climate action goals. We’re excited to see Kelowna’s business community take meaningful and measurable climate action.” – Angela Nagy, CEO, GreenStep

“The GreenStep Certified program is one of the many ways we’re working with our business customers to help them reduce emissions, find cost savings in their operations and access rebates to offset the upfront costs of associated upgrades. It also means that participating businesses can be recognized for their efforts. We encourage our customers to take part. – Carol Suhan, Manager, Community Programs, conservation & energy management, FortisBC