Ottawa Goes Green — One Business at a Time
Ottawa is becoming a hub for corporate climate action, and a new campaign is proving that local businesses are ready to lead the charge. Let's Get Growing — a partnership between the Ottawa Business Journal, Canada's Forest Trust Corporation (CFTC), Cool Climate Club (CCC), and the City of Ottawa — is gaining serious momentum as Ottawa companies sign on to invest in tangible, local environmental initiatives.
The campaign, which launched earlier this year, brings together an unlikely but powerful coalition: media, conservation nonprofits, a climate membership organization, and municipal government. Together, they're channelling business investment into tree planting and climate resilience efforts right here in the Ottawa region.
Why Ottawa Businesses Are Buying In
For local business owners, the appeal is straightforward. Rather than purchasing carbon offsets that fund distant projects, Let's Get Growing keeps the impact close to home. Companies get to say their investment is literally growing roots in the Ottawa Valley — forests that local residents can see, visit, and benefit from for generations.
Canada's Forest Trust Corporation manages the tree-planting component, working with landowners and conservation partners to restore and expand forested areas across Canada, with a focus on meaningful local impact. Cool Climate Club, meanwhile, provides the membership framework that makes it easy for businesses of any size to participate and track their contributions.
A Model for Municipal-Corporate Climate Partnership
What makes Let's Get Growing stand out is the direct involvement of the City of Ottawa. Municipal backing gives the campaign credibility and signals that climate action is a shared priority — not just a marketing angle. It also means participating businesses are aligned with Ottawa's broader environmental goals, including its Climate Change Master Plan, which targets net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Ottawa Business Journal's role as a founding partner adds another layer of community trust. As the region's leading business publication, its endorsement brings the campaign squarely into the mainstream conversation around corporate responsibility in the capital.
Momentum Is Building
Since its launch, the campaign has seen rapid uptake from Ottawa-area companies across sectors — from professional services firms to local retailers. Each new participant adds to a growing network of businesses that are choosing to invest locally rather than outsourcing their environmental commitments.
Organizers say the goal is to build a community of Ottawa employers who see climate action as both a civic duty and a business value. With the federal government headquartered in the city and a growing number of sustainability-focused firms setting up shop here, Ottawa has a unique opportunity to model what corporate-municipal climate collaboration can look like at scale.
How to Get Involved
Ottawa businesses interested in joining Let's Get Growing can connect through the Ottawa Business Journal or Cool Climate Club. Participation tiers are designed to be accessible — whether you're a small independent shop or a mid-sized enterprise, there's a way to contribute.
As Ottawa heads into another summer of climate conversations, campaigns like this are a reminder that meaningful action doesn't have to wait for federal policy. Sometimes it starts with local businesses, a few committed partners, and a good idea that takes root.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal — obj.ca
