Description
GWI is unique in that we are a relatively new nonprofit public benefit corporation, yet have a substantial program that we have been engaged in for over 10 years. We are continuing the functions performed by our Chief Executive Director, James Haven, when he was the Administrator of the North Carolina section of the Climate Wise Program, a pilot project (1995-2001) of the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, cosponsored by our State Energy Office.
GWI meets with business executives and government officials throughout North Carolina to demonstrate that energy efficiency, pollution prevention, waste minimization and process improvement can be developed as corporate or government agency assets that will also yield environmental benefits. We present information on the current climate change crisis, including the economic, human and environmental costs associated with global warming that are anticipated to directly impact the lives of their employees, neighbors, and all citizens of North Carolina. We then discuss how various measures to improve their energy and process efficiency can improve their bottom line or free up agency funds while performing a community service and achieving environmental benefits, and will also explain the benefits of membership in Global Warming Initiatives. Global Warming Initiatives also displays and presents at conference and meeting venues to reach groups of business leaders and government officials (e.g., Chambers of Commerce, Civitan, Kiwanis).
When businesses and agencies join GWI, we partner with them to develop and implement energy management plans that will cut their greenhouse gas emissions, and then submit the results to several national voluntary reporting programs and our N.C. Climate Change Registry. We prepare our clients to be ready for future emissions regulations and the likely cap & trade programs that will be a part of any government action. GWI encourages businesses and government agencies to be proactive in the reduction of greenhouse gases through increased efficiency, rather than be caught off guard by future regulations, trading schemes or carbon taxes.
Major utilities, a few large companies, and landfills report emissions to the federal program, but we are the only organization serving the interests of small to medium businesses, and developing the capacity to serve local & state governments. GWI is a member of the N.C. Conservation Network and its Clean Air Coalition, and we're developing working relationships with others working on climate change. We have representation on the Climate Action Plan Advisory Group established by NC DENR, and also in the Clean Energy Coalition. Our Assistant Executive Director holds a seat on the Air Quality Advisory Committee overseeing the Greenhouse Gas Project of Orange County, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. We are part of the sustainable business movement, and also wish to protect the interests of early adopters of greenhouse gas reduction strategies.
