Sustainable Connections' Areas of Focus

We know there is not one solution; there are thousands, hundreds of thousands of solutions … all of which are needed to support our transformation toward what we call a “local, living economy”. EcoTrust calls this model a “conservation economy” and has built a pattern map that we consider useful for highlighting areas that need attention. We know all the elements are critically important, yet as one organization, our area of focus is transforming business.

Even with this focus, we only take on the number of projects we know we can do well given current staff and resource capacity. We are currently committed to making change in the following five areas:

1. Sustainable Business Development

Community Outcome: A diverse and prosperous local economy built upon sustainable business practices.
Organizational Outcomes:

• Increase the numbers of Member Businesses that measure their sustainable business practices annually, and are engaged in more each year.
• Increase the number and prosperity of businesses that creatively address environmental and societal challenges

2. Energy

Community Outcome:  A community that uses energy efficiently and has greater energy self-reliance.
Organizational Outcomes:

• Diversify energy used by businesses to include more renewable energy sources
• Explore and aim to increase percentage of renewable energy that is locally produced
• Increase energy efficiency of businesses

3. Green Building

Community Outcome: A local design and construction industry that creates healthy, cost effective, environmentally responsible buildings, and compact, complete, and connected neighborhoods.
Organizational Outcomes:

• Increase the percentage of new construction projects and remodels that follow a “green”, high performance design and construction process.
• Decrease the negative environmental impacts of the built environment.

4. Food and Farming

Community Outcome: A thriving agricultural economy that provides a fair living for farmers and agricultural producers, good stewardship of our land and water, and abundant, healthy, humanely produced agricultural products for our world.
Organizational Outcomes:

• Increase the share of agricultural products consumed locally that are produced locally
• Increase the number, diversity, prosperity, and sustainability of local agricultural producers

5. Local First

Community Outcome: A prosperous economy that maximizes the share of wealth that is distributed and controlled within the local community, for the benefit of the local community.
Organizational Outcome:

• Increase percentage of businesses and consumers that are purchasing locally produced and grown products and services from locally owned businesses.