Sustainable Economic Development

Welcome to the Sustainable Economic Development initiatives in York Region.

"Going Green" is essential in today's marketplace, where consumers are increasingly aware of, and responsive

to environmental issues. Consumers want to know what your business is doing to protect the environment, as

do other businesses. By participating in green networks, industry clusters and a highly efficient workforce, you

generate favourable commercial and financial outcomes.

We will advance by pursuing new knowledge and practices that lead to more environmentally friendly and
ecologically responsible decisions. This webpage is dedicated to providing the resources, contacts and
information to help your business navigate the waters of green business initiatives.

York Region's Sustainability Strategy

Approved in 2007, the Sustainability Strategy was developed to manage dynamic forecasted population growth.

York Region is working towards a balanced approach respecting the Natural Environment, Healthy Communities

and Economic Vitality.

When it comes to Economic Development, the Sustainability Strategy is the cornerstone of our strategic direction.

This approach can result in efficiencies and savings, create attractive, balanced communities, and help attract a

talented labour force and leading edge companies.

Click here to view the York Region Sustainability Strategy.

These free workshops are detailed and interactive learning forums for

business leaders including guest presenters, case studies, and

implementation methods.

2010 Workshop Schedule Coming Soon.

Past Workshops:

Creating an Eco-friendly Office Environment - November 17th, 2009

Guests learned about creating an eco-friendly office environment with

presentations on topics from sustainable lighting to sustainable landscaping.

The mini-tradeshow component of the workshop gave attendees

the opportunity to meet with other environmentally minded businesses.

Green IT for Businesses - October 1st, 2009

Attendees learned about Green IT solutions for their business and

networked with other environmentally minded York Region companies.

This free workshop included:

- Benefits of Green IT
- Virtualization
- E-Waste
- A Take-Home Information Kit

Solar Applications for Businesses - June 17, 2009

Guests learned about Solar Energy solutions from a business

perspective, and had the opportunity to network with

other York Region companies.

This workshop included:
- How Solar Systems Work
- On-site Solar Assessments and Installation
- Incentives and Energy Retrofit Grants

The Guide provides a framework for sustainable economic development along with basic resources you may need

as you explore opportunities for operating as a green business or for launching a green product.

The Guide is a tool to assist local businesses in adopting sustainability. It includes:

The framework and resources for sustainability
150+ environmental programs, resources and partners
Federal, Provincial and Regional government programs
York Region's sustainability initiatives, and those of each local municipality
A directory of Environmental Companies

The Guide to Greening Your Business Cover

Download your copy of The Guide to Greening Your Business here.

The complete Guide to Greening Your Business:
The Guide to Greening Your Business

Download sections of The Guide to Greening Your Business:
Introduction and Table of Contents
Section A: Sustainability in Context
Section B: Your Green Resource Guide
Section C: Directory of York Region Environmental Companies

To request a hard copy, please contact: edo@york.ca