The Eco-City Community Challenge Launches to Help Canadians Save Energy and Win Big
Toronto, April 29, 2013 /3BL Media/ – Canada wastes more energy than almost every other country in the world, which is why the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance is challenging consumers to change their habits and use less energy with the Eco-City Community Challenge. Everyone benefits when we lower our consumption: families save money and less strain is put on our natural ecosystems and municipal infrastructure.
The Eco-City Community Challenge was designed for the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance to educate Canadians on the shared benefits of energy conservation to our economy and the environment. The goal is to capture and reward the energy savings activities that Canadians have undertaken in their homes, and inspire them to do more. The program will also assist municipalities across the country to achieve their individual goals.
“We are excited about launching the Eco-City Community Challenge, and thrilled that Scotiabank EcoLiving has partnered with us to bring this initiative to Canadians,” said Elizabeth McDonald, President and CEO of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance. “Our recent survey of Canadians conducted by The Gandalf Group indicated that over 60% of Canadians want to do more in terms of energy efficiency. This is a fun way to help them to meet that goal.”
“We look forward to seeing the energy savings mount as the Challenge progresses,” said Kaz Flinn, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Scotiabank. “Canadians need to save energy, and they want to save money. The Scotiabank EcoLiving program helps them do both. Our partnership on the Eco-City Community Challenge will bring energy saving information and great incentives to Canadians coast to coast.”
One lucky grand-prize winner will take home a package of five energy-efficient Whirlpool appliances courtesy of The Home Depot Canada, with a retail value of over $8,000, including the Whirlpool Duet® Front Load Washer, Whirlpool Duet® Dryer, Whirlpool 36-inch French Door Bottom Mount Refrigerator, Whirlpool Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Interior and PowerScourTM Option, and a Whirlpool Electric Range.
The list of top Eco Cities will also be generated from calculations done by the Pembina Institute using data generated from the Eco-City Community Challenge website. One city or town per province/territory will earn the title of biggest energy saver.
Alongside presenting sponsor Scotiabank EcoLiving, partners from across the country including The Home Depot® Canada, Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc., Union Gas, Bullfrog Power, The Home Inspection Network, Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance, and The Pembina Institute are joining the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance to make energy savings a priority and encourage consumers to make simple changes to their consumption patterns.
For more information and to participate, please visit: http://challenge.energyefficiency.org
About the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance
Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance (CEEA) is committed to building a national program to educate consumers on the shared benefits of energy-efficiency behaviours. As the leading non-government energy-efficiency advocate in Canada, CEEA’s mission is to improve access to energy efficiency information and increase awareness of its benefits to the Canadian economy and environment.
About Scotiabank EcoLiving
The Scotiabank EcoLiving Program launched in June, 2010. The website, www.scotiabank.com/ecoliving, is a unique online consumer resource that provides home greening options together with government rebate and financial savings information all in one place - providing an easy-to-use resource for Canadians to learn about, plan and compare green home improvement options. The website includes project planning tools and a financial calculator to allow visitors to compare products and rebates, plan and finance their projects and see the savings that can result from each energy efficient renovation. The EcoLiving magazine is available twice yearly in Scotiabank branches and the Scotiabank EcoLiving Awards recognize innovation in residential energy efficiency.
About the Pembina Institute
The Pembina Institute is a Canadian non-profit think tank that advances sustainable energy solutions through research, education, consulting and advocacy. Pembina promotes environmental, social and economic sustainability in the public interest by developing practical solutions for communities, individuals, government and business.
About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,257 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In fiscal 2012, The Home Depot had sales of $74.8 billion and earnings of $4.5 billion. The Company employs more than 300,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.
About Green Living Enterprises / Green Living Show
Green Living Enterprises is Canada’s leading cause-marketing agency focused on social and environmental program development. Our team is led by award-winning industry experts in the fields of brand and program development; custom content; advertising, marketing and communications; and event management. Green Living Enterprises also includes Greenlivingonline.com and The Green Living Show, Canada’s largest consumer show, dedicated to easy and simple solutions for leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
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For more information, or to request interviews, please contact:
Brenda Halkiw
416-360-0044 x 612
Green Living Enterprises
bhalkiw@green-living.ca
