Updates to the Workplace Conservation Awareness Initiative

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BC Hydro's Workplace Conservation Awareness Initiative is an education program targeting energy conservation and other green initiatives in the workplace. The pilot, which was launched in September of 2007, consisted of ten organizations that worked with BC Hydro to create cultural and behavioural changes in the workplace. Participant Jawl Properties showed a savings of up to 18% on their electricity bill, while Vancouver Island Health Authority Central North saved 23% at one of their facilities. As a result of the success of the pilot project, the program is now being made available to all medium-sized businesses in British Columbia.

About the Workplace Conservation Awareness Initiative

To get started, organizations meet with BC Hydro to develop a plan of action, identify the strategies that would be a good fit for their workplace and determine how to overcome the barriers to success.

"The key to the success of a behavior change program is to ensure that it is customized to your specific workplace," said Simon Vickers, Program Manager at BC Hydro. "The benefits need to be connected to the things that are important to your employees."

During the two-and-a-half hour planning workshop, which is run by a BC Hydro Power Smart Specialist, participants are coached on how to develop a strong behavioral campaign to change behaviors that waste energy at work. Facilitators will take the participants through the following topics:

• The behaviors that they want to change in the workplace;
• The strategies that are a good fit for their office;
• The benefits for their employees;
• Any barriers that would prevent the desired actions; and
• A communications strategy.

The organizations then will need to identify six to eight people to form a "green team," who are responsible for encouraging their peers to become more energy efficient. Following the planning workshop, the participants are equipped with the knowledge and resources to promote conservation in their workplace.

Updates to the program

Prior to commencing the workshops and providing funding, BC Hydro requires senior management buy-in from participating organizations. In addition, there needs to be a dedicated champion within the participating organization who is responsible for:

• Chairing and coordinating meetings;
• Ensuring the campaign is properly implemented; and
• Reporting back to the action team.

"In order to successfully implement this program, passionate and dedicated volunteers are required," said Simon Vickers, Program Manager at BC Hydro. "By having senior management support and the approval to report regularly to them on the progress being made will ensure that this initiative will continue to provide results for participating organizations."

Learn more

If you are interested in booking a workshop with BC Hydro's Power Smart Specialists, please contact us.