New Climate Action Toolkit Helps Manitoba Business Leaders Seize Opportunity and Mitigate Risk in a Changing Climate

Winnipeg, March 5, 2020 – A new toolkit launched today by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) offers practical guidance and resources that will help Manitoba’s business community prepare for the effects of climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate risk, and build resilience.

The Climate Action Toolkit for Manitoba Business is geared toward leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which make up 98% of all registered businesses in the province. Together, these companies represent the largest contributor to Manitoba’s GDP, so how they fare in dealing with climate change will have a huge impact on this economy.

“Manitoba is experiencing frequent severe weather events, rising temperatures, unpredictable rain patterns, and other challenges resulting from climate change,” says Philip Gass, Senior Policy Analyst at IISD. “It’s crucial to our economy that business leaders have access to information about climate change impacts, emission reduction strategies, and how to qualify for government incentives. This toolkit is designed to help steer Manitoba businesses in a climate-friendly direction.”

“We heard loud and clear in our 2019 Manitoba Business Outlook Survey that more than half of the province’s business leaders are concerned about climate change,” says Chuck Davidson, MCC President & CEO. “But we also learned that most of them—almost two thirds—are not incorporating climate action into their strategic planning. This concerns us a great deal, because a lack of preparedness could mean severe impacts on operations, increased insurance premiums, and supply chain issues. As well, a growing number of consumers are looking to the private sector to offer sustainable products and services, and this may present new market opportunities.”

Featured components of the Climate Action Toolkit for Manitoba Business are:

• A primer explaining the effects of climate change on business
• A climate action checklist for business leaders
• Examples of climate action being taken by Manitoba businesses
• Barriers to action, as cited by local SMEs, and efforts to address those
• Links to government programs and incentives for climate action by SMEs
• Highlights from the 2019 survey of climate action by Manitoba SMEs
• Promoting Climate Action to Key Stakeholders (a communications guide for business leaders)

The toolkit was unveiled this morning at a Climate Action for Business 101 seminar hosted by the World Trade Centre (WTC) Winnipeg. Created by IISD and the MCC, the toolkit was inspired and informed by a series of climate action forums hosted across the province by local Chambers of Commerce and facilitated by IISD. The project partners would like to acknowledge financial support for this toolkit from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Climate Action Fund and thank World Trade Centre Winnipeg for their input and collaboration throughout the initiative.

For media inquiries:

Vanessa Farquharson
Communications Manager, IISD
(613) 238-2296 ext. 114
vfarquharson@iisd.ca

Karen Viveiros
Director of Communications, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
(204) 948-0103
kviveiros@mbchamber.mb.ca

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce was established in 1931 and is the umbrella organization for Manitoba’s chamber movement. With a membership comprised of local Chambers of Commerce as well as direct corporate members, the MCC is Manitoba’s largest business lobby, representing more than 10,000 businesses and community leaders. Its mission is to champion sustainable economic growth leading to greater prosperity for business and communities in Manitoba.