Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce
Sustainability Initiative

The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP), is launching a sustainability initiative calling for all area businesses to address their environmental impact and strive to build a more sustainable community.

Corey Johnson, a Clean Air-Cool Planet Climate Fellow, is heading this initiative to expand sustainability within Portsmouth's vibrant commercial sector. One objective of his work is to reevaluate the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the city's businesses. Following on the 2006 analysis of Portsmouth's carbon footprint, Corey has been working with Peter Britz, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Portsmouth, to determine whether or not local businesses have reduced their emissions in the past several years.

Corey is also studying local restaurant involvement in composting, a method of recycling food scraps that diverts waste from landfills. Not only does composting curb the production of methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas, but it also presents restaurants and hotels with ample opportunity for cost savings. The results of his research-including the costs, benefits, and environmental impacts of composting in Portsmouth-will be available as a guide to restaurants on the Chamber website in August.

While green business practices are very important to Portsmouth's overall sustainability, the community efforts are equally as vital. Corey has been collaborating with Sustainable Portsmouth, an organization that has taken a grassroots approach to embedding sustainability into Portsmouth's culture. Through this partnership, Corey hopes to engage businesses and the community together to streamline efforts to collectively reduce the city's environmental impact.

Corey's research will ultimately culminate in organizing the Chamber's first sustainability-oriented Business Development Seminar in the fall.  Check out his blog here.

Download the Composting Quick-Start Guide Here.

Up-Coming 'Green' Events

Join members of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and Sustainable Portsmouth for an opportunity to share experiences with sustainability and learn from others within our own community. How can collaboration make "going green" more feasible? How have other businesses like yours been successful at greening their operations? How can you start to attract customers looking for green alternatives? Networking opportunity will be accompanied by hors d'oeuvres and drinks.

Chamber members are invited to a breakfast to hear from the individual responsible for making Green Mountain Coffee Roasters a true green success story. GMCR has emerged as a leader in sustainable business while attaining nearly triple digit growth in profits. Learn how your business, like GMCR, can save money by reducing its environmental impact.

Ever wished someone else would pay your bills? Come learn about opportunities to obtain funding for energy-saving projects! This workshop-style seminar will provide you, regardless of your industry, with actionable steps to reduce energy costs and "green" your business. Hear from representatives of the NH Sustainable Lodging & Restaurant Program, PSNH and the Retail Merchants Association of NH about easy and affordable ways to achieve this goal.

  Corey Johnson is a senior in the Whittemore School of Business and
  Economics at the University of New Hampshire. While at school, his
  interest in sustainability has led him to multiple opportunities to help
  businesses and municipalities reduce their energy use and increase their
  bottom line. This summer, he will be working in collaboration with the
  Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and Clean Air - Cool Planet
  to provide assistance to local businesses looking to cut energy costs. This
  free service is an opportunity for companies to take the first step towards
  sustainability and improved energy efficiency.

If you would like to learn more about how your business can get involved, contact Corey at Green@PortsmouthChamber.org or 603.610.5527