Net Zero Hero
become a
net zero hero
Make the pledge to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050!
Join a community of like-minded businesses, and benefit from the perks that come with it.
Sign up today to be a part of our next series!
the net zero hero pledge
We commit to taking the next steps to understand the emissions profiles associated with our buildings and operations; and to explore various options and solutions – to guide us on our path to Net Zero Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
As we commence our journey, we commit to producing action plans and establishing science-based targets – to accelerate our transition to a Net Zero Carbon Economy.
Our aim is to demonstrate leadership, and pursue meaningful activities to help us better prepare, mitigate, and adapt to the effects of our changing climate.
We’re proud to be recognized as “Net Zero Heroes” and share the same level of ambition with other Northeastern Ontario based organizations.
take the pledge
By completing and submitting this form, your organization has taken our Net Zero Hero Pledge. Congratulations!
For more information contact us.
Net Zero Heroes of Fall 2023 attended our 4 Training Sessions
Session 1: An Introduction to Climate Science, Energy Literacy and Strategies to Increase Efficiencies.
Session 2: Energy Management 101: Sources, Scopes, Metrics, Reporting and Best Practices.
Session 3: Water Conservation 101: Water Efficiency & Wastewater Management, Sustainable Urban Drainage, and Water Stewardship-led Activities.
Session 4: Waste Management 101: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, Energy-from-Waste, Processing of Organic Materials, and the Circular Economy.
Net Zero Heroes also have the option to add on a Carbon Footprint Snapshot of their organization. This is a quick report, based on information provided by you, that indicates your organization’s recent Greenhouse Gas emissions.
guest speakers
session 1: an introduction to climate science
-
Emma Meadows is the Climate Action Staff Scientist at Science North and the Vice Chair of Science North’s Green Team. She works on implementing GHG reduction projects across Science North that support the organization’s Net-Zero Strategy.
Emma holds a Master of Environmental Science with a specialization in Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation from the University of Toronto, and has worked with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Emma strives to inspire audiences across Canada, particularly youth, to take action on climate change and incorporate sustainable practices into everyday life.
-
Dr. Babin-Fenske grew up in beautiful Nova Scotia, completed a B.Sc.(Agr.) in Applied Zoology at McGill University then moved to Sudbury, Ontario where she received a Ph.D. in Boreal Ecology from Laurentian University, specializing in insects of stressed forests. She is proud of Greater Sudbury for its world-renowned regreening story and potential for natural growth, environmental initiatives and ecological research.
As the Climate Change Coordinator for the City of Greater Sudbury, Jennifer helped develop the City’s climate change plans and communicates with other municipalities regarding successes and challenges in implementation. Jennifer received a Canada Clean50 award for her efforts in promoting environmental awareness and continues to encourage residents and organizations to adopt sustainable behaviour at home, work and play.
-
Emily Cormier is an energy management and sustainability professional with over 10 years of experience, in the Canadian private, public and non-profit sector, predominantly in Northern Ontario.
She is currently employed at the City of Sault Ste. Marie as the Sustainability Coordinator, where she leads sustainability initiatives across the organization, including the implementation of the Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. Emily is also a part time professor at Sault College where she teaches Corporate Responsibility in their Schol of Natural Environment.
Prior to working for the City, Emily worked as the Program Manager for QUEST Canada’s Smart Energy Community Accelerator Program in New Brunswick, and has also worked on large scale energy conservation and demand management projects in Northwestern Ontario for Synergy North. She also led the development of the Wawa Municipal Energy Plan, for the Municipality of Wawa which won the 2017 Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) Community Project of the Year award. Her experience also includes planning and operations on Forest Resource Inventory (FRI) projects across Ontario, and working in a policy analyst capacity for the Federal Government including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Public Safety in Ottawa.
Emily holds an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s in International Business from Hult International Business School. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
session 2: energy management 101
-
Having worked in the municipal and non-profit sectors, Benjamin has a wide range of experience in delivering strategies and projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As Climate & Energy Programs Manager at the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere, Ben supports local First Nations and municipalities with climate and energy planning in a collaborative partnership called ICECAP.
His professional mantra is that all decisions should be informed and based on sound data. In applying this mantra, Ben supports ICECAP partners in planning and developing business cases for energy efficiency and fuel-switching initiatives in the areas of buildings, transportation, and waste.
Through his work, Ben hopes to help organizations achieve cost-savings, boost profitability, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
-
Lauren Valliere is the Climate Initiatives Coordinator at the District of Muskoka. With a background in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo, she brings a results-oriented approach to environmental advocacy. Guided by her passion for sustainability, Lauren is committed to driving impactful initiatives that contribute to a greener future, not only for her home of Muskoka, but broadly as well. Lauren is one year into her career in the environmental sector and is eager to learn as much as possible and share ideas on how we will all work together to create a lasting positive impact on the environment and our communities.
-
Craig is born and raised on Manitoulin Island and spent some time in Sudbury as well as travelling throughout Canada and the US as a network engineer. He has been in business in excess of 30 years with his start as Manitoulin and Espanola’s first Internet Service provider back in the late 80’s.
His love of radio was fostered at a very young age when he “tinkered” in the basement with old radios fixing them. Craig started his first radio station back in 2001 and is now at the helm of two stations on Manitoulin one at 50,000 Watts and the other at 27,500 Watts.
With his Computer Network Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering and Electrical Engineering background, Craig provides all the technical expertise to the stations ensuring the stations are cutting edge including pioneering HD radio testing. The new 2600 Sq/ft studio and office at 1 Radio Road is completely off grid, the first of its kind in Canada!
Craig is now taking his love for green energy to the next level designing complex off grid systems and designing new thermal storage technology resulting in net zero buildings.
-
At Solar Associates, we go beyond providing solar solutions; we’re dedicated to pioneering a greener, more sustainable future. Specializing in grid-tied and off-grid solar systems, Solar Associates brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in providing state-of-the-art solar solutions to our clientele.
Our team comprises top-tier energy consultants, master electricians and installation specialists, all of whom possess a profound understanding of the solar industry and a demonstrated history of success. For over fifteen years, this carefully selected group of seasoned professionals has devoted their expertise to establishing us as a leading solar specialist in northern Ontario.
What sets us apart is our status as one of the industry’s few all-in-one solar companies. Unlike others, we don’t outsource a single component of our process. This means that we handle everything for our clients. Our in-house experts oversee every detail from inception to completion, guaranteeing unmatched quality and precision.
Our foray into First Nations and Indigenous communities is a cornerstone of our mission. We aspire to leverage our extensive experience and deep understanding of these communities’ unique energy needs and aspirations to forge improved environments for both current and future generations.
We’re not just building solar solutions; we’re crafting a legacy of sustainability and progress. Together, let’s illuminate the path to a brighter, greener future for generations to come.
session 3: water conservation 101
-
The Junction Creek Stewardship Committee is an environmental not-for-profit that has been leading community-oriented restoration activities for N’Swakamok/ Greater Sudbury’s urban waterway, Junction Creek, and surrounding greenspaces since 1999.
The organization works with community partners, stakeholders, and countless volunteers to work together to undo damage caused by historic logging and mining practices, and mitigate arising urban and industrial pressures on the watershed.
We work towards improving and maintaining a healthy Junction Creek watershed and community by delivering the following programs: research and monitoring programs to create understanding and inform sound decisions; restoration activities to recover and protect the watershed; educational opportunities to share knowledge and promote the watershed’s ecological, economic, and health benefits; and help to connect the community with Junction Creek to empower long-term stewardship.
-
The Water/Wastewater Condition Assessment and Analytics Section is a newly established section within the City’s Infrastructure and Capital Planning department.
The purpose of the section is to ensure that the City’s water distribution system and sanitary sewers are operating as efficiently as possible by identifying operational issues and developing action plans to address problematic findings. Some of the primary areas of concern highlighted by the section include Water Conservation, and the reductions of Inflow and Infiltration within the system.
As the Water/Wastewater Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator, my primary objective is to promote and educate the public about specific issues that the department has identified within the w/ww systems.
session 4: waste management 101
-
A father, Christian, biologist, conservation-activist, and surfer of snow and cold-waters.
Matthew Graveline is a STEM Specialist with Science North, and holds degrees in Geography, and Biology/Indigenous Studies. Ormuir Organics was founded to address current environmental challenges with organic waste management in the Sudbury, On. region.
-
I was born and raised in Northern Ontario. I enjoyed a lengthy career in a technical field that allowed me to work mainly on special projects. My work has taken me across Canada and, as a family, we have lived and worked in some very remote Canadian communities and locations.
As a family we have always been concerned with waste management, re-cycling and composting. As such, it wasn’t a big leap, upon my retirement, to find myself taking more than a passing interest in solutions of scale with respect to organic waste management. I have resided with my family in a small community on Manitoulin Island for the past 30 years.
Our community, as well as all rural communities in Ontario, are struggling to meet the requirements of Provincial mandates regarding landfill and transfer stations. As such, For the past two years I have been actively involved in initiatives to help communities identify organic waste streams as a resource versus a burden on the environment.
