On October 9, Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco-Business Zone was officially launched. The initiative is the culmination of over a decade of partnership between Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and will deliver programming to help businesses reduce resource costs, uncover new business opportunities, and address everyday operational challenges in a green and cost-effective manner.

Partners in Project Green is a business-lead initiative that will offer the GTAA and other businesses within the Toronto Pearson Eco-Business Zone the possibility to implement projects and business initiatives that redefine lofty environmental goals into practical, sustainable business opportunities. By working within the structure of an idea like Partners in Project Green, businesses can develop value added commercial opportunities, which translate environmental concerns into reality. The project will transform the 12,000 hectares of industrial and commercial land surrounding Toronto Pearson International Airport into North America's largest eco-business zone.


“Partners in Project Green is the first large-scale effort at addressing climate change in a renewal setting,” said Toby Lennox, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at the GTAA. “It's significant because it takes an integrated approach. It doesn't just focus on energy and waste management issues – as important as they are - it also looks at green space improvements, employee health and productivity, and ultimately green jobs.”

"Through Partners in Project Green, TRCA will be able to continue to work with industry leaders to promote the adoption of green technology," said Brian Denney, Chief Administrative Officer for Toronto and Region Conservation. "The business community can do more by working together than apart. This is a historic first step to making Toronto the greenest place to do business."

To date more than 200 businesses have been involved in the development of the project. The initiative is strongly endorsed by the Region of Peel and Cities of Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto who were all strategically involved in the planning. The Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Environment, and The Honourable Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources, attended the launch event and expressed strong support for the program.

Partners in Project Green will meet local economic development objectives by boosting green business practices and stimulating eco-business practices to create a competitive advantage for the region. The area will support a range of other economic development activity, such as partnerships between businesses, increased social networking and trade opportunities, workshops and training events.

Over time, the eco-business approach creates more financially, aesthetically, and socially attractive areas for doing business. Green buildings, for example, will benefit tenant and building owner bottom lines and create more productive work places. The result provides a significant incentive for businesses to stay and grow, and attracts new progressive industries to the area.
Partners in Project Green: A Pearson Eco-Business Zone strategy document is available online at www.partnersinprojectgreen.com.