Businesses

Responsibility of Businesses to Lead in Climate Action

Production doesn't have to equal pollution. Virginia business operations intersect with over 65% of our greenhouse gas emissions through transportation, manufacturing, or commercial building energy usage.

As community leaders, businesses have a responsibility to care for our most vulnerable neighbors, those most impacted by climate change. C3 believes that business owners and nonprofits, whether small or large, can act as ambassadors of climate action by fervently advocating for collective climate solutions and reducing carbon emissions from their operations.

The business community has a crucial role in reducing climate pollution, and C3 helps organizations of all shapes and sizes take action—individually and with the collective voice of the business community through C3's Green Business Alliance.

C3 IS A PROUD MEMBER OF:

Climate Services for a Sustainable Future

Explore C3's climate services, including energy audits and solar consults for businesses and nonprofits, to help reduce emissions for our most vulnerable community members. Then, join our growing team of green business and organizational partners to get started on your climate transformation today!

Resources for Your Business: Energy Efficiency Grants

Every year, C3 gives away $20,000 in energy efficiency grants to small and minority-owned businesses. In 2024, the program is open to all microbusinesses (25 or fewer employees) in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area, with a preference for woman- and minority-owned businesses. Grants will help these businesses achieve emissions reductions and financial savings through capital investments up to $2,000 each. For more information, click below.

The 2024 round of Energy Efficiency Grants has closed. Stay tuned for news in 2025.

A man and women sitting on top of fridge in a kitchen.

Explore how your business is the missing puzzle piece to climate solutions. Become a climate leader in your community while reducing energy costs.

Learn:

Many small organizations can’t track energy use and emissions on their own—discover how C3’s expert support can help you take action with energy assessments, carbon footprint analysis, and more!

Act:

Donate

C3 Blog
The Climate Action Easy Button: Programmable Thermostats
The Climate Action Easy Button: Programmable Thermostats

Did you know?  Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems use more than half of the energy in most commercial buildings. Did you also know that in many buildings, those systems are running full-blast even when no one is there?  That’s a lot of energy - and money - wasted for the benefit of….no one.  Happily, there’s often an easy fix.


Charlottesville’s Gas Decarbonization Study: A Real Path to Decarbonization or Business as Usual?
Charlottesville’s Gas Decarbonization Study: A Real Path to Decarbonization or Business as Usual?

Read our latest blog co-written with Livable C’ville discussing the release of Charlottesville Gas' long-awaited Gas Decarbonization Study. Unfortunately, the study released last week comes nowhere near meeting the original aims set and was not responsive to community input from the listening sessions. Keep reading to learn more about the study and opportunities for improvement Charlottesville Gas can take moving forward.

Introducing the Energy Resource Hub!
Introducing the Energy Resource Hub!

Ever wish you had an energy expert on hand when making a major decision about your home, business, or vehicle? Who do you call when your furnace quits or when your energy bills seem too high? The Energy Resource Hub is for you.

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