Sustainable Santa Monica Aims for Net Zero
The City of Santa Monica prides itself on being at the forefront of sustainability, with a climate goal of net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. For the last 24 years it has hosted the Sustainable Quality Awards, alongside the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the non-profit Sustainable Works. The most sustainable businesses in the city receive awards for sustainable economic development, social responsibility and stewardship of the natural environment.
Green Business Expo
This year, Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica Hotel hosted the awards luncheon, an apt choice as the hotel is a shining example of sustainability, having won two SQA awards itself. The event kicked off with a small expo of green businesses – and Green Eatz was happy to encounter a familiar face in Dylan Wolf of CNSRV. His startup has applied to this year’s Cleantech Open startup accelerator – and I interviewed him just a few days ago!
The PlusHus was another green business on show, exhibiting their environmentally friendly tiny house for use as an guest house/home office or whatever you need. These modular buildings are made from a panel system that is cradle-to-cradle certified and is simple and fast to install.
Sustainable Quality Awards Luncheon
The awards luncheon was served in the Penthouse Ballroom with extensive views over Santa Monica and the ocean. Happily, the lunch had a vegan option salad and entrée but, unfortunately, the after-dinner cookies were out-of-bounds for me.
I was pleased to see my hairdresser’s Salon Tru winning an Environmental Stewardship Award for their commitment to green business practices. This includes sending the hair cuttings to a facility where they are made into materials for cleaning up oil slicks in the ocean. Lovely to think that my discarded hair is used in such a clever and green way!
The Social Responsibility award went to the Santa Monica Motel, an economy motel on Lincoln Boulevard. They are a certified Green Business who have made water savings of 43% and cut their annual lighting bill by $2000. It’s great to see that even a small motel can implement sustainable practices that are good for the environment and the bottom line.
Other winners included Bezian Bakery, Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, Global Green, and the Arthur Murray Dance Center.
Keynote from Environmental Media Association
Debbie Levin, CEO of EMA, is spreading the message on saving the environment through the art of storytelling. The Environmental Media Association influences the media industry to present compelling messages on direct actions that we can all take in our daily lives. With the help of celebrities, their message reaches millions of followers through social media, movies and television. Debbie and the LACarGuy banded together to bring the Toyota Prius to the attention of Hollywood by using them to transport stars to and from the Academy Awards. She also used her influence to persuade Larry David to drive a Prius in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
2019 SQA Grand Prize Winners
The Grand Prize goes to businesses that practice the three Es of Economy, Equity and Environment. This year, they could not have been more different! First up, the Back on the Beach Café is a certified Green Business that has been serving locals since 1989. I must try this place as it serves local, sustainable food and it is right on Santa Monica beach!
Next up, Tradesy is an online marketplace to sell and buy designer fashion, located right in downtown Santa Monica. It has 100 employees and 15 dogs in its office – but no waste! It has implemented a recycling and composting system so no need for a trash can in the kitchen.
It’s great to see how businesses from big to small, brand-new to long-standing and every type under the sun are embracing the sustainable pathway. Let’s hope that one day this will be the norm and we won’t need to honor these exceptions anymore!
