The City of Charleston is launching the 2019 Charleston Green Business Challenge with a workshop series beginning this month. Mayor John Tecklenburg will announce the official kickoff February 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the first floor public meeting room at 2 George Street. Immediately following the announcement, the first workshop will begin.
Hosted by the division of Business and Neighborhood Services, the workshops will cover a range of topics from energy consumption to sustainable alternatives and lowering environmental impacts from commuters to water conservation. The focus will be to provide participating businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in lowering their energy costs and creating more environmentally sustainable facilities.
Leading organizations have already committed to joining this effort, such as the Sustainability Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Organizations that would like to sign up, can RSVP at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-green-business-challenge-launch-event-tickets-55604401261.
Following the workshop series, a “Battle of the Buildings Challenge” will kick-off in August, utilizing the EPA Energy Star Business Challenge model. Businesses will work toward a goal of lowering energy consumption by 15% by implementing the information and skills learned during the workshop series. Achievement toward that goal will be recognized via tiered system. The Challenge will take place over six-months, during which businesses will compile energy data into a Portfolio Manager digital platform to track their progress. Organizations will also learn best practices from other businesses and share ideas throughout the challenge.
Mayor Tecklenburg said, “We’re looking forward to the start of this year’s Green Business Challenge and wish the best to all of this year’s competitors.”
“Good energy management is good business,” said Jean Lupinacci, Chief of the ENERGY STAR® Commercial & Industrial Buildings branch at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “By joining the Green Business Challenge, benchmarking progress in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and capturing inefficiencies, Charleston businesses are on track to save energy, save money, and protect the environment for all of us.”
At the conclusion of the Energy Star Business Challenge, a ceremony will be held at City Hall to celebrate the accomplishments, resiliency, and sustainability achieved by the participating organizations.
For more information about the 2019 Charleston Green Business Challenge please visit
www.charleston-sc.gov/green-business-challenge.