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- Business Environmental Alliance
- Our Story
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Our Story
Environmental Business Task Force
In 1995, the Board of Supervisors created the Sonoma County Environmental Business Task Force, a committee comprised of business, environment and government representatives. In December 1995, the Task Force recommended the formation of the Business Environmental Alliance (BEA) to implement an integrated program of voluntary responsible environmental practices by local business. The BEA is one of the first initiatives of its kind. This business-driven community partnership, coordinated by the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, centers on the use of business-to-business communication to promote voluntary responsible environmental practices as a means toward economic profitability.
The Innovation Council
The Innovation Council Economic Strategic Plan (PDF: 1.9MB), produced by the 34-member Sonoma County Innovation Council, concluded that resource efficiency is 1 of the 3 key objectives for Sonoma County over the next decade.
According to Moodys.com (SOTC 2009): A 10% cost reduction in energy, water and waste by 2020 could create:
- 8,200 jobs
- $709 million additional output
- $41 million in additional revenue for Sonoma County
Small Businesses (14 employees or less), which account for 85% of Sonoma County’s workforce, are crucial to the 2020 vision but do not have the resources of large corporations to dedicate to research and implementation of environmental practices.
Our Programs and Events
Since it’s launch in 1997, the BEA has positioned itself as one-stop-shop for information, instruction, rebates and incentives that promotes the economic benefits of implementing responsible environmental practices for businesses in Sonoma County.
More than that, the BEA is becoming a hub for the sustainability conversation amongst our business community, understanding the specific needs and challenges of our economic environment, and the resources that can offer solutions.
Our programming includes quarterly workshops that convene business members, agency partners, environmental expertise and service providers for industry or topic oriented events to network and learn, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, an Annual Best Practices Survey and Report, and our Annual Awards Breakfast. We also work with businesses 1-on-1 to address their concerns and guide them through the resources that are available for the implementation of particular profitable environmental practices.
Bookmark Us!
Our website serves as a hub to put you in touch with upcoming events, pertinent news, best practices from across the community and an increasing range of resources that we have consolidated from our national partner agencies and organizations who share our mission for your easy access, so please do continue to visit us.
