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Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership:
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Coalition of Area Employers Working Together
To Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Quality of Life

Partnership Agreement


Preamble

The Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership, coordinated by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, offers businesses and organizations the opportunity to lead the community toward the complementary goals of reduced regional greenhouse gas emissions and increased economic competitiveness.

Greater Kansas City area employers are in a unique position to contribute to solutions to address climate change. Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial talent—all in abundant supply in the Kansas City area business community—are essential to success. The relationships employers enjoy with their customers, partners, and employees are crucial to communicating the changes needed to effect positive change.

Members of the Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership enjoy benefits that include technical assistance in assessing and reducing their climate change impacts in ways that may reduce costs and open new market opportunities. Other benefits include lessons shared by fellow members and recognition as leaders in responsible management.

Ultimately, businesses and institutions join the collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because they have a shared interest in making economic investments that can potentially improve the environment. The risks associated with carbon emissions—both environmental and regulatory have increased and the economic opportunities presented by technologies that can help shape the solution to climate disruption are creating opportunities to make changes today. Membership in the Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership simply makes good business sense.

It is with these thoughts in mind that members of the Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership agree to make the following commitments.

The Partnership was established by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to focus the business community on voluntary climate solutions in the metropolitan Kansas City region.


Our Commitments

As members of the Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership, we commit to take the following four actions:

1. 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.


2. We will reduce our own organization’s greenhouse gas emissions by taking actions in our own operations that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Participate in actions to conduct an inventory of direct greenhouse gas emissions, emissions from purchased electricity, heat, or steam and, where feasible, indirect emissions from activities such as commuter transportation, business travel, or other outsourced activities; set clear reduction goals that maximize economic opportunity and minimize business and regulatory risk; develop an action plan to achieve the goal(s); and document and share progress towards meeting the goal(s).
  • Reduce facilities-related greenhouse gas emissions and support the development and use of renewable energy by taking actions such as:
    • participate in a green power program where available to increase the use of renewable energy;
    • ensure that new and renovated facilities are designed and built to be energy efficient;
    • purchase Energy Star computers, printers, and appliances.
    • encourage employees, vendors, and customers to use energy efficiently; and
    • consult with utilities and conduct audits of facilities and operations to learn what financial incentives are available for energy and water efficiency improvements.

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle fleets and off-road equipment by taking actions such as:
    • increase the average fuel efficiency of our fleet;
    • reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled by our fleet;
    • increase the use of clean fuels and clean vehicles in our fleet; and
    • encourage contractors and vendors to “green” their fleets.

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from other operational activities by taking actions such as:
    • promote waste reduction and recycling;
    • purchase and use climate-friendly materials in construction (e.g. slag cement, locally produced products);
    • promote use of green building practices and standards (e.g. LEED) when building new facilities or renovating old buildings.

  • Train employees on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Establish an organizational education program to encourage all employees, contractors, vendors, and customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.


    3. We will collaborate with other members of the Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership and take actions, jointly and individually, to help the community support sound policies and legislation that apply to GHG emissions and energy use.


    4. We will help grow and strengthen the Greater Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership by taking actions such as the following:
  • Help develop and implement a recruitment strategy to increase participation in the Partnership.
  • Help develop, implement, and continuously improve the Partnership services, including the technical assistance program.
  • Participate in Partnership events, including networking meetings and technical assistance workshops.
  • Share progress and lessons learned with Partnership members.


    Would your company like to join the coalition? Download the Climate Protection Partnership Form, fill it out, and deliver back to The Chamber >>
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