Status of Implementation
The Office of Economic Development’s Business Environmental Resource Center (BERC) manages the Sustainable Business Program. This Program operates in partnership with SMUD, the Sacramento County Departments of Airports, Building Permits and Inspection, Planning and Environmental Review, Environmental Management, Regional San, Water Resources, Waste Management and Recycling, and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
BERC has been actively making changes and improvements to the Sustainable Business Program since October of 2023. At that time, 133 bussinesses were certified. Improvement phases completed to date include redeveloping the Program mission, branding, market research, and certification criteria. The criteria have been redeveloped and vetted to encompass up-and-coming environmental regulations and initiatives. Branding has been updated to match the Program elements and stylistic design. BERC has revitalized the Green Building certification category. The category renamed Green Design encompasses initiatives in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles. Through research it has been identified there is a strong nexus between CPTED principles, environmental initiatives, and community benefit. Program membership perks have been identified as customized industry specific messaging and information, connection to relevant rebates and incentives, and creating community engagement opportunities to bring together businesses in the space of environmental sustainability. A revised BERC website has been launched to reflect the Program’s goals and objectives. In fiscal year 23/24, 78 businesses were added to the Sustainable Business network with 48 additional businesses currently in the process of certification.
