Central Kootenays Businesses Achieve Green Business Certification

July 24, 2025

The Central Kootenay region is now a certified “Green Business Hub” with supports in place to help regional businesses reduce their environmental impact and be more resilient in the face of climate change.

The designation is the result of a partnership between Community Futures Central Kootenay (CFCK) and the Synergy Foundation, a non-profit organization created to lead the transition towards a green economy. Through the foundation’s BC Green Business initiative, it provides businesses with affordable certification and action items to make their businesses more sustainable.

“The need for responsible business practices has never been stronger,” says Alison MacDonald, Community Economic Development Coordinator for CFCK. “The impacts of climate change pose significant risks, from supply chain disruptions to damaged infrastructure, but the cost of certification in addition to other expenses prevents many businesses from exploring environmentally friendly practices.”

The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the project through its Innovating and Advancing Key Sectors funding stream. Additional funding was provided by the Columbia Basin Trust, Nelson and Area Economic Development Partnership, and the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK).

“The project leverages Community Futures Central Kootenay’s network of community partners and small business owners,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “This certification program is a great way to help businesses identify practical and affordable ways they can take climate action.”

In addition to helping businesses get certified, CFCK and the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) are also pursuing BC Green Business certification.

Certification Process

The BC Green Business program begins with a three-part webinar series designed to inspire businesses to start on the path toward climate resilience. Then, for those ready to make changes in their business, there is a cost of about $2,500 to receive an initial assessment and, once the recommendations are implemented, become BC Green Certified.

Regional governments and business organizations throughout the Central Kootenays including the RDCK, Nelson, Castlegar, Kaslo, New Denver, Silverton and Slocan City have committed to 100% renewable energy by 2025 and promoted participation in the program through their networks. The 15 seats originally offered for the webinar series quickly filled up and four more spaces were added.

Fifty-nine people attended at least one of the webinars providing diverse representation from the hospitality, tourism, financial, manufacturing and other sectors. All the attendees received customized information to help them maintain their businesses, diversify, create new services and products, and/or attract customers who choose to support climate-friendly businesses.

“The 19 businesses that have become certified so far have been able to reduce emissions, conserve energy and water, and divert waste, creating efficiencies and cost savings,” MacDonald says.

Business Buy-In

Participating businesses have come from a variety of industries and locations. The Kootenay Co-op in Nelson, Canada’s largest independent consumer owned natural foods retail cooperative, used the program to focus on areas that could streamline or improve their operations, which included a sustainable procurement process. Endless Adventures, a professional rafting and touring company in the Slocan Valley transitioned to renewable energy as its primary power source, adopted composting, reduced plastic waste and switched to printing on recycled paper. Converting to LED lighting, using sustainable packaging and shipping methods and other practices have been implemented by the more than 270 BC Green Business certified organizations in the province.

Award-Winning Initiative

The CFCK initiative was recognized by Community Futures British Columbia with its 2024 Innovation and Excellence award.

Potential for Expansion

This approach to encouraging businesses to enhance their environmental and social performance has the potential to be replicated by other Community Futures and business support organizations throughout BC.

There is also potential to expand beyond the certification program. The seeds have also been planted for future partnerships among certified BC Green Business members. One example is a shared commercial composting program between the City of Nelson and the RDCK.

For Community Futures Central Kootenay, the certification program has helped them provide even more services to their region’s businesses. “This project expands the scope of CFCK’s supports while recognizing that businesses have a significant role to play in mitigating and adapting to climate challenge,” says MacDonald. “It’s an important milestone on the road to a more sustainable economy for our region.”

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