Will Solutions, the Sustainable Community Project in Canada

Project Description

The Sustainable Community Project in Canada aggregates more than 800 carbon reduction micro-projects in various sectors, including energy efficiency and waste management. The project's main objective is to bring together up to 10,000 customer facilities in a "sustainable community" to reduce GHG emissions from low emitters that account for nearly 70% of Quebec's GHGs and for which reductions are unaffordable for most. Pioneering and innovative, this is the first project to develop a new world-class methodology (VM0018) to benefit these micro-projects from the carbon credit mechanism.

The Sustainable Community Solution targets to preserve economic prosperity, develop a positive attitude toward climate change, and transform the way we do business while protecting the environment. This project encourages, quantifies, and clusters together small individual GHG reduction efforts into a large aggregate volume, which can then be converted into the highest quality carbon credits. The project also includes energy-efficient buildings, promotes fuel switching, and diverts industrial and commercial waste from landfills by composting or recycling.

The Sustainable Community's success lies in its capacity to unite small businesses and local governments, often overlooked in climate change efforts, by providing them access to voluntary carbon markets and green financing. Since the beginning of the Sustainable Communities project, 8.1 million tonnes of greenhouse gases has been reduced. By promoting eco-friendly practices, it bridges the gap between economic profitability and environmental responsibility, turning challenges into opportunities.

34.259 million tCO₂e

roughly the GHG reduction potential for the Sustainable Community of Quebec by 2029

Energy efficiency

in buildings and fuel switching

Diversion of waste

from landfill

Innovative

business model

Deep-Dive into the Will Solutions Project

Founded in 1997, Will Solutions Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company based in Beloeil, Quebec. The company provides the possibility for small organisations, businesses and municipalities to engage in the voluntary carbon market by converting their GHG reduction efforts into carbon credits. In doing so, they are rewarding individuals, companies and communities who are advocates of sustainable development.

Will Solutions’ social philosophy is based on giving back; 80% of carbon revenues are dedicated to the SMEs, NPOs and initiators of the reduction micro-projects. As well, 10% of their net profits are given to local projects and initiatives that further support sustainable development. They are a BCorp certified company.

Will Solutions has been working with ClimateSeed since 2019 and remains a strategic partner in providing high quality carbon reduction projects to companies willing to contribute to global carbon neutrality. ClimateSeed and Will Solutions value making the Voluntary Carbon Market more efficient and transparent by valuing :

1) Action: demonstrating concrete initiatives and ongoing commitment; 2) Cooperation: stimulating strong partnerships; and 3) Ambition: going beyond business as usual and continuous improvement.

This is why, together, ClimateSeed and Will Solutions have united their efforts against climate change. Thanks to this partnership, ClimateSeed has provided end-buyers with climate contributions that generate significant social benefits and sustainable development.

This climate action, in the form of beyond-value chain mitigation, can contribute to the global carbon neutrality roadmap combined with transparent and robust carbon reduction.

Project Expansion

ClimateSeed had the opportunity to visit Will Solutions in August 2023 where they were exposed to exciting new projects that Will Solutions has or is in the process of on-boarding. Will Solutions has been on the VCS carbon market since 2013 and is continuously searching for new SME prospects to join their sustainable community. ClimateSeed had the chance to visit 2 innovative new diversion of waste from landfill projects that are making waves in their community and beyond. The GHG emission reduction activities for both of these projects are the avoidance of methane emissions, therefore reducing the scope 3 of their suppliers.

The first company understands that electronic waste often goes to landfill or is burned for waste-to-energy and that this cannot be the sustainable solution moving forward. A pioneer in its field and the first of its kind in North America, the company provides a recycling programme to its customers and suppliers and promotes their zero-landfill policy. Their process can reuse 96-98% of the material that would have ended up in landfill or burned as waste energy. With an innovative machine, the company is able to separate different elements in the electronics and recycle materials that other companies, provinces and countries often can’t make circular. For example, the products they recycle include cardboard bales, plastic film, styrofoam, different types of plastic, stainless steel, copper, gold, aluminium, used toner powder, and toner cartridges. The passion to drive change and have innovation be at the forefront of climate action made this visit all the more inspiring.

The second company is a food waste triage company that specializes in the recycling, collection and upcycling of by-products and production surpluses from medium and large food producers. By providing second life to food production by-products, the company contributes to a green and circular economy.

The company was founded in 1996 and is now one of the leaders in Canada of turning agri-food by-products into high quality livestock feed. Some examples of products they work with are flour, bread, grains, chocolate, etc. When visiting this project, the sight of a mountain of chips, pretzels, and individually wrapped candy waste may discourage you from enjoying anything sweet. Over half of Canada's food production is lost or wasted. This project helps companies turn their organic waste into profit and positive environmental impact.

"Will Solutions bridges the gap between economic profitability and ecological action. Our Sustainable Communities hold immense potential, offering an inclusive, community-driven, and virtuous model for both humanity and the planet, without discriminating against small economic players in society."

Martin Clermont

President and Founder of Will Solutions

Produits Forestiers Petit Paris

Sector: Forestry Industry
Sub-sector: Wood Processing
Organization Type: Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME)
Location: Saint-Ludger-de-Milot, QC, Canada

Since becoming a part of the Sustainable Community in 2010, they have seamlessly integrated 10 buildings and infrastructures with carefully measured carbon footprints. Additionally, they have successfully developed three impactful projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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13

years of commitment

350,349 CAD

dispersed in one year

871,000 tCO₂

cumulative reduced since 2010

77,700 tCO₂

reduced annually in one year

"Will acts as a facilitator for us in the voluntary carbon credits market. We only need to respond annually to various requests (volume, production, consumption) regarding our activities, and they take care of the rest, like a turnkey solution."

David Boivin

HR/HSE Director at Produits Forestiers Petit Paris

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