The Climate Economy Programs are designed to help communities build and implement priority actions that increase economic vitality and affordability in a time of climate change.
Enosburg Falls, VT – Most people know about composting—the natural recycling process that converts food scraps, leaves, and manures into soil building compost and mulch. What is less known is that this decomposition process also generates a substantial amount of heat. Agrilab Technologies, Inc. in Enosburg Falls has developed a patented system to help farms,…
Stevens & Associates, P.C., an architectural and engineering firm, has a passion for walkable environments and mixed use buildings. Their work focuses on urban revitalization and the repurposing of existing historic buildings. By creating compact diversified environments, users can access multiple services and locations throughout the day without driving. Rebuilding such places uses the embodied…
VBike is a nonprofit organization dedicated to shifting the bike culture in Vermont towards a more inclusive, fun, and transportation-oriented future. By promoting exciting innovations like electric-assist technology and cargo bikes, VBike is working to make bicycles more relevant for Vermonters while encouraging healthy bodies, vibrant communities and a sustainable vision for our planet. It…
Tucked behind a secluded lake in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center is an outdoor-lovers’ dream that offers year round recreation opportunities including Nordic skiing, running, mountain biking, and sculling. Family events, lodging, and event rentals are available as well. While the non-profit organization is dedicated to lifelong sports, Directors Judy Geer and Dick…
ShackletonThomas is a Bridgewater, Vermont based company that specializes in making fine handmade furniture, pottery and accessories. For the past 25 years, ShackletonThomas has made a commitment to help curb the effects of climate change. The primary material used for its furniture is wood that comes from within the Northeast US, which keeps emissions from…
As a former medic, police officer, non-profit manager, legislative director and values-led business executive – Duane Peterson has always been dedicated to organizing people to take meaningful action towards positive change. Duane demonstrates this commitment in his latest venture as Co-President of SunCommon – a Vermont Benefit Corporation with a mission is to make it…
In the over 40 years they’ve been in business, Butternut Mountain has built a reputation as a leader in Vermont’s maple industry. The company is also taking the lead in other ways – demonstrating that including environmental stewardship in their business model is good for sustaining the resource they rely on, their employees, the community,…
For ten years now, Washington Electric Co-op has been generating power from the stuff that Vermonters throw away. Their system channels methane gas from deep within the Coventry landfill to fuel the five Caterpillar engines that produce enough electricity to power 8,000 houses a day. That’s about 50,000 MWH a year and over half of…
In February 2015, VCRD launched the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council, a group of business and policy leaders who will convene over the course of 2015 to frame a bold platform of action to advance Vermont's Climate Change Economy. In the fall of 2015, the Council turned to the public in a series of 3 state-wids public…
The Summit on Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change brought together over 400 innovative business, non‐profit, and community leaders, elected officials, public policy advocates, students, and interested residents to begin to frame policy and investment strategies to advance the development of the Vermont Climate Economy. Over the course of the day, Summit participants developed…