How the program works

  • Fill out and submit the Biosphere Commitment Program Agreement

  • Make the annual payment of $495. An invoice will be sent to you, and you can pay by cheque or credit card.

  • Choose a staff member from your organization who will lead your sustainability efforts. They will be assigned a one-on-one with a Biosphere Program Success Advisor

  • With your Program Success Advisor, choose three or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to work towards achieving Biosphere Committed status as an organization.

  • Use the Biosphere Sustainability Management software to upload your evidence, confirm your actions with your program success advisor, and achieve Biosphere Committed Status

  • Once committed, identify new SDG actions and activities with your Program Success Advisor to achieve Biosphere Certification

 

Commitment Program Pricing

For $495/year the program includes:

  • Planning & guidance

  • Impact measuring & reporting

  • Local & international recognition

  • A dedicated Biosphere Program success advisor

    A dedicated FortisBC energy analyst

    Access to subsidized sustainability service providers

  • Access and training on Biosphere Sustainability Management software

    Semi-annual sustainability check-in meetings with your program success advisor

    Achieve Biosphere Committed status

  • Opportunities to be featured in regional content

    Access to the Biosphere Commitment certificate, logo, and other marketing assets

    Company profile page on BiosphereSustainable.com and other platforms

 

Program time requirements

All meetings for onboarding and program mentorship are currently delivered online. The time requirements for these virtual meetings are as follows:

  • Biosphere Platform Onboarding & Training for the Member Biosphere lead and all staff members are optional (30 mins)

  • 3-4 Virtual Zoom Meetings between the Member Biosphere Lead and a TOTA biosphere program success advisor annually to comply with the continuous improvement measures of their respective sustainability action plans ( 15 -30 mins each)

  • Uploading digital evidence of sustainable actions to the BSL platform ( 5-6 hours annually)

 

Commitment Program benefits

Increase your alignment with TOTA and the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals

Biosphere Commitment Program Members will ensure that their operations are in line with the United Nations 17 SDGs and the sustainability goals of the Thompson Okanagan region.

Save on costs

Upon achieving Biosphere Committed Status, members will have access to complementary energy assessments through FortisBC and subsidized sustainability services that assist members in achieving their goals and lessen the financial burden of implementing change.

Earn marketing opportunities

Biosphere Committed Members can earn marketing opportunities, visual and written marketing aids, for their sustainability actions and spotlight their sustainability achievements by being featured in TOTA and CDMO newsletters and destination sustainability stories.

Increase visibility and credibility

Biosphere Committed Members will join a growing community of 80+ Biosphere Members in the Thompson Okanagan region. Members demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by measuring and reporting their actions. TOTA commits to raising awareness of these tourism businesses that are contributing to the increased sustainability of the region.

Contribute to industry research

Biosphere Commitment Program members can contribute to, and be included in, industry research initiatives. Previous Tourism Industry research has included: destination documentaries, university-led research projects, TOTA led initiatives, and international summits.