TOTA’s Corporate Carbon Inventory & Thompson Okanagan’s Destination Carbon Inventory

With sustainability as one of our guiding principles, and as a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration, TOTA has committed to net zero by 2050 and 50% reduction by 2030. This Carbon Inventory was done to get a comprehensive assessment of our Destination and Corporate carbon emissions and to set the stage for future coordinated action based on accurate data.

A carbon footprint - or Carbon Inventory - measures the amount of greenhouse gasses released by an activity, such as TOTA's business operations. It's expressed in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), which shows the impact on global warming.

To calculate TOTA's corporate carbon footprint, the GHG Protocol’s Corporate Standard was used, a widely accepted method that ensures consistency in measuring and comparing greenhouse gas emissions across different organizations globally.

If you run a tourism business and have taken actions to decarbonize your business, please let us know by emailing eve@totabc.com

Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses

GreenStep Solutions is hosting a webinar with FortisBC to introduce the FortisBC Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses program. Organizations can attend the 45-minute virtual sessions to learn more about the program.

About the Energy-Saving Support for Small Businesses Program:

FortisBC is offering small and medium-sized businesses free customized energy advice, members can connect with Business Energy Advisors with a 15 to 30-minute consultation via phone call, video call, or in-person visit to learn about:

• Low-cost/no-cost tips to reduce energy use and operating costs

• Information about FortisBC rebates on high-efficiency equipment

• Support in getting quotes from contractors and applying for rebates

• Applying for retroactive rebates on equipment installed in the last 365 days

Register below to attend one of the free virtual informational sessions: 

July 23, 2024 @ 11:00 AM PST

August 6, 2024 @ 11:00 AM PST

GreenStep EcoFund Verified Program Assists TOTA Stakeholders to Reduce the Costs of Switching to RNG

TOTA continues its commitment to destination stewardship and sustainability through a partnership with GreenStep and its EcoFund program. GreenStep is an industry leader in guiding businesses to reduce environmental impacts and in turn the region’s carbon footprint. Tourism businesses that join the EcoFund program, collect an EcoFee that helps their businesses to cut down on the consumption of energy, waste and water, by investing in more efficient technologies and renewable energy. The EcoFund is managed by GreenStep and is applied to measurable carbon reduction projects at the participating business. 

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is part of that energy solution and businesses that are GreenStep Verified are now able to use 10% of their EcoFund towards incorporating RNG into their energy portfolio. RNG is a practical way to help mitigate future climate crises and transform BC's energy future by reducing BC's greenhouse gas emissions. Supporting both personal and professional climate goals, this is an important action to aid the Province’s path toward a ‘CleanBC Roadmap to 2030.’ Switching to FortisBC’s renewable natural gas option does not require any new equipment, upgrades, or installations. Customers have the option of replacing 5% to 100% of their natural gas consumption with RNG.

Improving tourism business value is a goal of TOTA and GreenStep. Through the GreenStep EcoFund program businesses access a comprehensive energy and carbon management funding program, and receive the EcoFund Verified seal, marketing assets, and annual summary reports to help communicate the positive impacts they have made. These materials help share the participation in the program, and reflect your dedication and progress towards improving sustainability within the region. If understanding your business's energy consumption or carbon footprint is a commitment for your business, then TOTA’s dedicated Energy Analyst, Harshit Srivastava, can provide a free audit. Harshit specializes in energy and can offer local tourism businesses opportunities for cost-saving options to reduce their carbon footprints. For energy efficiency solutions and to learn more about the benefits of making this simple switch, schedule an Energy Audit with Harshit, or book a free EcoFund opportunity analysis with GreenStep. Projects identified can then be funded in whole or in part through the GreenStep EcoFund program.

About GreenStep Solutions Inc.: GreenStep was founded in 2008 to help small to medium-sized enterprises measure and improve their sustainability performance. To date, the organization has worked with thousands of businesses and organizations of all sizes, in a variety of industries such as tourism and hospitality, retail, professional services, and manufacturing. For more information, visit www.greenstep.ca.

Measuring Sustainability: The State of the Canadian Tourism Industry | GreenStep Sustainable Tourism

GreenStep shared a report on how the Canadian tourism industry is performing in regards to sustainability based on data from hundreds of tourism businesses across Canada who completed the Sustainability Score assessment.

In 2021, GreenStep launched the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge in partnership with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, encouraging tourism businesses and destinations across the country to measure their sustainability performance using the free online Sustainability Score assessment based upon the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria, and to make a commitment to improving this performance each year until 2030.

The Sustainable Tourism Dashboard enables anonymous aggregation of the results to help tourism destinations, policy makers, and other industry stakeholders understand how the tourism industry is performing at a local, provincial, national, and eventually international level. 

Learn More & View Report →

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GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard Achieves GSTC-Recognition

Congratulations are in order for GreenStep and the recent announcement of their achievement of the “Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Recognized Standard status.” GreenStep is the only North-American based provider of GSTC-recognized standards for Destinations. The status offers the market a proof that these standards adhere to international norms.

GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standards are used by GreenStep Solutions in their assessment and verification programs which provide tools, resources, and consultative support to destinations and businesses across the tourism industry. The Sustainable Tourism standards enable tourism businesses and destinations to measure their sustainability performance in several key categories: management, social, economic, natural, cultural, and environmental.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself and means that a sustainable tourism standard or system has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the standard or system equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards are based on the 4 pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Environment, Social, Cultural, and Management principles.

View Announcement →

Schedule a Sustainability Assessment →

GreenStep Accepted into UN Accelerator Program

Congratulations are in order for BC based GreenStep Solutions who have been selected out of hundreds of applicants, as one of only ten companies in Canada to be accepted into the United Nations (UN) Global Compact Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Ambition Programme.

GreenStep will participate in a six-month accelerator that aims to challenge and support participating companies of the UN Global Compact, including Suncor Energy and Bell Canada, in setting ambitious corporate targets and accelerating integration of the 17 SDGs into core business management.

As a company that supports small and medium enterprises to measure and improve their sustainability performance, GreenStep’s participation in this program will provide an exciting opportunity to more holistically integrate the SDGs into existing and future services, software and programs, as well as setting internal targets towards improving their own sustainability performance.

Tourism Kelowna Earns Platinum Certification through the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Program

After four years of dedicated commitment to responsible, sustainable tourism practices, Tourism Kelowna has earned a Platinum Certification through the Sustainable Tourism Program offered by GreenStep.

The achievement recognizes Tourism Kelowna’s commitment to sustainable initiatives that align with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key practices include solar panels added to the roof of the Kelowna Visitor Centre, and work with the Biosphere program alongside over 30 tourism businesses in the community.

Key practices that align with several SDGs and have supported Tourism Kelowna in achieving the Platinum category of the certification include:

Solar Panels

Recently, 30 solar panels were added to the roof of the Kelowna Visitor Centre, for a total of 50. The original 20 panels generated approximately 10% of the energy required for the building, and now about 26% of the building’s energy needs will be generated through this clean and renewable source. 

One Tree Planted

As of April 1, 2021, every online or in-person purchase of retail products from the Kelowna Visitor Centre results in one tree being planted in British Columbia. To date, nearly 5000 trees have been planted, contributing to environmental sustainability in our province. 

Water Bottle Filling Station

Since it was built, the Kelowna Visitor Centre has offered water-bottle filling stations, and since measurements began in September of 2020, the stations have saved over 2200 plastic water bottles.

Biosphere Commitment Program

Tourism Kelowna has been committed to the TOTA Biosphere Commitment Program program for four years and has worked with over 30 tourism businesses in our community to join, too. This sustainable tourism system aligns with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to balance social, cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Achieving this rating demonstrates the actionable commitment that Tourism Kelowna has made by benchmarking against the highest set of standards and best practices.

Eco Efficiency Program: TOTA Partners with FortisBC, GreenStep Solutions, and BC Hotel Association to Help Tourism Businesses Cut Costs

For Immediate Release

The Eco Efficiency Program will Provide One-On-One Support to Aid Economic Recovery Through Resource Conservation

Kelowna, BC (July 9, 2020) - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is working in partnership with FortisBC, GreenStep Solutions, and the BC Hotel Association to reduce costs for tourism businesses and aid economic recovery within the Thompson Okanagan region. The overarching goal of our partnership is to support regional tourism businesses by identifying operational inefficiencies, providing tools to address them, and ultimately reducing utility bills. As our industry continues to show incredible resiliency, this program is providing timely support to reduce costs and build a foundation for future utility savings and resource conservation.

A dedicated Energy Analyst, employed by TOTA and funded through FortisBC, will act as a technical resource and energy advocate for tourism stakeholders. The Energy Analyst will work closely with TOTA’s Destination Stewardship Team and GreenStep’s Business Advisors to implement the Eco Efficiency Program, which will include an onsite assessment and analysis of utility bill data. The Eco Efficiency Program will provide businesses with a detailed understanding of utility usage patterns and equipment performance and includes:

• Energy consumption analysis, reporting and rebate opportunities;

• Water consumption analysis and reporting;

• Waste analysis and reporting, and;

• Carbon software training and access to a carbon measurement platform to effectively measure your organization's carbon footprint.

"The business case for sustainability has never been more important. The tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit as a result of COVID-19, and experts agree that a green economic recovery will help businesses to save money while also meeting important environmental goals," said Angela Nagy, CEO of GreenStep Solutions. "We are thrilled to be partnering on this exciting initiative to help businesses identify opportunities to reduce both their costs and their eco footprint."

“We are proud to help Okanagan tourism businesses reach their energy efficiency goals affordably by lower operating costs,” commented Colin Norman, Manager, Conservation and Energy Management Portfolio and Marketing Strategies at FortisBC. “This is one of the ways we're demonstrating that, by working together, we can find ways to meet the province’s climate action goals.”

As a Regional Destination Management Organization, TOTA has committed to long term responsible tourism management as a Biosphere Certified Gold Destination and also the measurement of sustainable practices through the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).

Biosphere Committed companies who are interested in the full Eco Efficiency assessment will receive priority in the first phase of the program. Businesses that are not interested to join the Biosphere Commitment Program at this time and are only seeking an energy assessment can express their interest for a virtual energy-only assessment delivered by TOTA’s Energy Analyst. They will receive a detailed analysis of energy utility data benchmarking against similar properties in Canada, a report summarizing cost saving opportunities, and energy efficiency measures with a list of rebates and incentives available.

The BC Hotel Association is also offering the services of their dedicated Energy Analyst to conduct energy-only assessments for their members.

Through this partnership, regional tourism utility consumption data will also be collected and aggregated to share with the expanded monitoring programs TOTA has committed to, including the Biosphere Destination Gold Certification, the Biosphere Commitment Program, and our newly formed partnership with the United Nations World Tourism Organization as a Sustainable Tourism Observatory. This data will assist in achieving TOTA's goal of developing financial and environmental sustainability for the regional tourism industry.

To get started with the Eco Efficiency Assessment:

• TOTA Biosphere Committed Companies are eligible for a full assessment (energy, water, waste and carbon footprint) at no cost through the Eco Efficiency Program and can register their interest at totabc.org/eco-assessment.

• Tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region can sign up for a complimentary energy assessment at totabc.org/eco-assessment.

• BCHA members can apply through the BC Hotel Association GoGreen Analysis program at bcha.com/gogreen-analysis.html.

About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, & Culture. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. For more information, visit TOTABC.org.

About FortisBC:
More than 2,400 employees work hard to provide natural gas and electricity to just over 1.2 million British Columbians, every day. As one of the largest energy providers in BC, FortisBC is putting more than 100 years of knowledge into creating a cleaner, healthier tomorrow. FortisBC understands the importance of a lower-carbon future and is committed to leading the way. For more information, visit FortisBC.com.

About GreenStep:
GreenStep was founded in 2008 to help small to medium sized enterprises reduce their environmental impacts and create a sustainability strategy for the future. To date, the organization has worked with over 2000 organizations of all sizes in a variety of industries such as tourism and hospitality, retail, professional services and manufacturing. Ultimately their goal is to help businesses improve their sustainability performance while also increasing their profits. For more information, visit GreenStepGlobal.com.

About BC Hotel Association:
With over 800 member hotels and associate members representing over 60,000 employees and 80,000 rooms contributing in excess of $3.2 Billion in revenue, the hotel industry’s value to the hospitality sector, the tourism industry, and the BC economy is significant. The BCHA works with the government and regulatory authorities to ensure a positive operating environment for the hotel industry to thrive in, particularly during economically challenging times. As the voice of the hotel industry at the Federal, Provincial and Community level, the BCHA is acknowledged as the champion of hotel related issues, including matters of taxation, tourism, marketing, corporate relations, labour, and consumer services, visit BCHA.com.

For more information, contact:

Ellen-Walker Matthews
Vice President, Market Stewardship
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
industry@totabc.com
(236) 361-4433