Launching in May 2024, the Ann Arbor Green Business Challenge (A2 GBC) presents a new framework to recognize, support, and celebrate local businesses working to advance sustainability in the community. Co-created by the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations and Ann Arbor SPARK, this new program will help local businesses:
lower operating costs
create a stronger brand
build a more sustainable culture
enhance employee and customer satisfaction
reduce their environmental impact.
A2 GBC has four certification levels—bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. The certification level that a business can achieve is based on the number of points they accumulate across seven areas of sustainability - energy, water, circular economy, mobility, resilience, education, and supply chain. Some areas have more points possible than others. In addition to the formal certification levels, there are also recognition opportunities for those entities that improve their performance year over year, regardless of their status. Businesses are also able to earn “innovation" points for undertaking novel practices or implementing policies not explicitly included in the framework.
The A2 GBC was designed to offer recognition to local businesses while also helping them lower their operating costs, create a stronger brand, build a more sustainable culture, enhance employee and customer satisfaction, and reduce their environmental footprints.
The final A2 GBC framework will be announced in the coming weeks so check back often! To learn more about the A2 GBC or to receive updates regarding program launch, sign up for our monthly sustainability newsletter or send a note to [email protected].
