ACTIONS FOR BUSINESS

The BCC advises and advocates the business recommendations from Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan. The BCC supports actions, when completed, will create awareness and help reduce the regional energy and climate impacts from the business sector. Some suggested actions for businesses are:

Business Actions:

• Measure and track energy use with EPA’s Portfolio Manger.
• Join and become active with Black and Gold City Goes Green
  • http://blackandgoldcitygoesgreen.com/
  • Encourage your employees to sign up
• Participate in one of our focus group sessions and/or attend one of our energy workshops.
• Attend our fall event for more information on how business can reduce their overhead cost and CO2 emissions on October 29, 2009 at Pittsburgh Opera.
• Become familiar and participate in the Pittsburgh Climate Initiative
  • Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan Business Recommendations

Short-Term Recommendations:

• Establish a PGH Business Climate Coalition
• Hold a business sector climate event
• Evaluate businesses’ needs in relation to reducing carbon footprints
• Incorporate sustainable business issues into city government
• Develop a carbon clearinghouse for businesses
• Provide assistance to businesses for completing greenhouse gas inventories
• Promote energy audits and retrofits
• Encourage proper waste disposal
• Encourage employee transit use
• Cooperate with the Oakland transportation management association
• Encourage ridesharing

Medium-Term Recommendations:

• Provide PGH small business grants
• Establish Training for “How to Negotiate Green Lease”
• Establish a PGH green business climate award program
• Develop sustainable procurement practices
• Promote Energy Star and/or LEED certified Projects
• Provide City of PGH recycling programs for all businesses
• Provide Facilities to Encourage Bike Commuting
• Obtain Business Memberships to Zip car

Long-Term Recommendations:

• Establish a sustainable business seal
• Encourage ongoing commercial building energy audits and/or recommissioning
• Reduce parking spaces and employee parking subsidies