Sustainability Program Helps Businesses In Tucson Arizona

TUCSON —The Green Business Leaders Program is open to businesses of all sizes in southern Arizona to help strengthen the region's resiliency to climate change.

"This program will help you evaluate your business’ basic sustainability footprint, connect to local green resources, receive recognition for your leadership, and build affinity and loyalty among customers and employees who support environmentally responsible practices. Beyond the checklist, practices identified can also be used to update your business plans, operation plans, employee orientations, and marketing materials." — Southern Arizona Business Alliance

Southern Arizona Green Business Leaders certification.

The newly created Southern Arizona Green Business Alliance (SAZGBA) developed a sustainability rating certification system for businesses with one to over 500 employees in southern Arizona.
According to SAZGBA they developed the program to empower businesses to adapt more sustainable business operations.

They created the program in partnership with Local First Arizona and the Tucson 2030 District.
To qualify, businesses must be located in Pima, Santa Cruz, Yuma or Cochise county and meet the 65-point program checklist sustainable business practice criteria in several categories like “waste and procurement” and “food and events.”

SAZGBA will reach out to businesses that submit applications if they feel the program and the organization area suitable fit.
If awarded certifications are valid for two years. They provide Green Leaders Certified Businesses with logos and promotional assets, along with an entry in the Green Leaders Directory.

Evolving SCALE UP and Tucson 2030 District programs.

The new sustainability program developed from a pilot program called SCALE UP (Sustainable Communities Accessing Lending and Expertise Upon Performance). This project, which was also in partnership with Local First Arizona, aimed to help businesses leverage sustainability financial incentives, specifically regarding water, energy, transportation and waste. According to tucson.com the program was a success, helping 11 businesses cut their energy bills and make a stronger environmental impact.

SAZGBA also aligns with the ethos of the 2030 Districts Network. This program “unites cities” across the nation with a commitment to reduce 50 percent of their energy, water and transportation related emissions by the year 2030. According to Tucson’s page on their website, the city’s goals with the program are to:

• Act as a catalyst, connector and advisor to speed up the adoption of best practices, active collaboration and knowledge transfer within the district
• Make Tucson an attractive place to work, live and enjoy life
• Make Tucson a resilient community
• Be sincere stewards of our natural resources
• Work together to identify systemic barriers to conservation to create solid economic development