The Challenge

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the State of Colorado, Boulder County, and the City of Boulder have all set greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals of 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050. In order to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, every organization and individual must participate. The good news is that business community is well positioned to be leaders in turning this challenge into an opportunity.

The Vision

A significant number of businesses have become inspired and are on their way to be carbon pollution free. Many are also actively working with their own employees to inspire and empower them to take similar action in their personal lives. Through making these efforts highly visible in the community, this leadership by businesses inspires a larger community movement that significantly accelerates the adoption of a carbon pollution free lifestyle.

The Road Map

This road map demonstrates the steps that your business can take to become more energy efficient, save money, and reduce your climate pollution to zero. It is a clear and simple way to understand where you are currently and what the major steps are on the journey. A second goal of this project is to share work businesses are doing with the community to inspire other businesses and individuals to take action, both locally and across the country.

Office

Office

Office

Road Map

Retail

Retail

Retail

Road Map

Restaurant

Restaurant

Restaurant

Road Map

Faith Group

Faith Group

Faith Group

Road Map

Property Owner

Property Owner

Property Owner

Road Map

Nonprofit

Nonprofit

Nonprofit

Road Map

What's included in the scope of the road maps?

The road maps include scope 1 and scope 2 carbon pollution

Scope 1: Direct Greenhouse Gas Pollution

Scope 1 covers all direct greenhouse gas pollution by a company. It includes onsite fuel natural gas combustion, company vehicles and fugitive emissions.

Scope 2: Indirect Greenhouse Gas Pollution from Purchased Power

Scope 2 covers indirect greenhouse gas pollution from consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam.

Scope 3: Other indirect greenhouse gas emissions

Scope 3 covers other indirect emissions, such as emissions from a company’s supply chain including extraction, production, and transportation of purchased materials Outsourced activities are also included in Scope 3. Scope 3 emissions (also known as value chain emissions) often represent the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

When The Buff Restaurant in Boulder moved to its new location, the restaurant reused and repurposed many of the materials that were already there: the wood from the previous restaurant’s booths was made into new booths, and some of the new wood walls were created by turning around the existing beadboard. In 2014, the Buff received PACE certification in Zero Waste and earned recognition from Western Disposal for diverting more than 95 percent of its waste into compost and recycle. The Buff hopes that its waste consciousness extends far beyond its doors and compostable containers.