Greater Kansas City
Local businesses that promote environmental strategies as a necessary action for the continued economic success of the community.
It is common to hear about the dire effects certain production methods will have on ecosystems throughout the world, but what about the impacts a deteriorating environment will have on our businesses? What effects will poor air quality and changing climates have on our economies? Commitment number one of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of 
Commerce’s Climate Protection Partnership (CPP) reads: “We will assess the potential impacts of climate change on the long-term economic value and vitality of our organization, and we will use that assessment to inform strategic decisions to minimize the business risk associated with greenhouse gas emissions and maximize the economic opportunities afforded by reducing emissions.” Rather than becoming more sustainable solely as a matter of civic good, members of the Greater Kansas City Chamber are implementing green strategies as necessary and common sense steps to ensure the continued success of their company.
The preamble of the Climate Protection Partnership Agreement is straightforward in its conviction that membership in the CPP is simply good business sense. Companies are encouraged to sign on to join other businesses that have a shared interest in “making economic investments that can potentially improve the environment.” As a member of the Climate Protection Partnership, businesses also commit to reducing their own greenhouse gas emissions, collaborating with other CPP companies to help the community support sound policies and legislation related to emissions and energy use, and to help grow and strengthen the Partnership.
Not all businesses have the same resources to employ sustainable practices, and thus those who choose to join the Partnership have the option of signing on with differing levels of commitment. Those that qualify as “Environmental Stewards,” the basic partnership level, have implemented a company-wide recycling program and an emissions reduction employee education and training course. These Partners commit to sharing their successes and challenges with the CPP. “Environmental Leaders” have implemented additional company-wide programs to qualify and also commit to reporting their emission levels to the partnership. To be accepted in the highest level of membership, “Environmental Change Agents”, businesses must have executed more challenging initiatives such as emission reduction plans and taking steps to curb company transportation usage. “Change Agents” also report emission levels to the Climate Protection Partnership and continue to exhibit regional environmental leadership.
To help businesses maintain and expand upon existing programs, the Partnership offers a variety of useful resources. Companies are able to access a carbon footprint calculator from the CPP website for a rough estimation of their emission levels, making it easier to set reduction goals. Partnership members may also receive technical assistance to help reduce their climate impacts in ways that could lower costs and open doors to new marketing opportunities.
The Climate Protection Partnership is modeled after a similar program in the Seattle region and was a major focus during the Chamber’s 2007 Leadership Exchange to Seattle. Since its launch in Greater Kansas City, the program has been extremely successful, boasting over 170 member companies committed to reducing their impact on local environments and improving the sustainability of their own business.
For more information on this program: Climate Protection Partnership