In early 2024, Tracy Earth Project and the Tracy Chamber of Commerce launched the Tracy Green Business Network (TGBN) to help guide local businesses toward sustainable business practices. TGBN is based on the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) model. ESG, a term first introduced by the United Nations in 2004, outlines guidelines for business practices that prioritize environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance.
The Tracy business community warmly embraced our efforts, with about 20 local businesses joining the network. In the first year of TGBN we organized events where businesses shared their best practices, and developed strategies, resources, and initiatives to further our business community’s sustainability goals.
To become a member of the network, businesses are encouraged to complete a short survey that gives insight into their current ESG practices. The TGBN team analyzes the survey results using one of two rubrics based on whether or not the business has a sustainability committee. Both rubrics cover the same categories: energy, transportation, water, air, waste management, and social and governance, with an additional category for sustainability committee initiatives (if applicable).
Each category has a specific point value tied to the business’s overall score. Businesses are considered “developing” if they earn few or no points in a category, and “accomplished” if they earn most or all points. Each survey question is worth 1 point, with yes/no questions scored 0/1 and checkbox questions receiving 0.25-0.5 points per selected box. TGBN uses survey data to identify ESG areas commonly overlooked by businesses and provides resources for improvement. Businesses receive their rubric evaluation along with targeted resources to address gaps. Overall scores measure sustainability progress, not as a negative grade, but as a reflection of the business’s journey toward sustainability.
In our inaugural year, Amazon SCK6 won the overall performance for organization with a sustainability committee. Black Eagle Secure Solutions Inc. scored highest overall for organizations without a sustainability committee.
Other notable mentions include Caspian Books and Amazon for energy efficiency, Prologis for transportation efficiency, and Prologis and Leprino Foods for efficient water management. Several businesses achieved a perfect score in air quality management: Black Eagle Secure Solutions Inc., Amazon SCK6, Leprino Foods, City of Tracy, Prologis, Heirloom Carbon, Tracy Renewable Energy, Taylor Farms, and Andrade Chiropractic. Additionally, Taylor Farms and Amazon SCK6 earned perfect scores in waste management. Tri-Valley Cares was the only organization that excelled in the social and governance category.
We are extremely pleased to recognize these businesses and showcase their sustainability practices. We invite more businesses to join the Tracy Green Business Network, as it’s crucial for us to take proactive steps toward sustainability and lead the way in environmental efficiency.
• Tracy Earth Project is a volunteer-run environmental advocacy group. To learn more about the group and its projects go to https://www.tracyearthproject.org/. For more information on Tracy Green Business Network, contact info@tracygreenbusiness.net or go to www.tracygreenbusiness.net.