The Cowichan Energy Alternatives Society and its offshoot, the Community Carbon Marketplace, are making a bid at $10,000 in BC Hydro's Community Champions contest.
Between now and Nov. 30, anyone can vote once per day in the contest, located at champions.bchydro.com. Teachers and schools can also support the CCM and enter themselves for a chance to win $1,000 for their class.
The CCM is one of 12 organizations up for the $10,000 prize.
Based in Duncan, it is an online community carbon exchange that helps governments and businesses achieve carbon-neutrality by purchasing carbon credits generated by organizations and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In turn, those organizations and projects generate revenue by selling their carbon credits on the marketplace.
The City of Duncan is among the local governments that have taken advantage of the CCM to achieve carbon-neutrality, while local businesses that have sold their credits on the marketplace include the Cowichan Bio-Diesel Co-op, Greasecycle, Inc., and the Vancouver Island Salt Co.
"We encourage non-profits and green businesses throughout Vancouver Island and Coastal B.C. to visit our website where they can do a simple self-assessment for eligibility, and get on a waiting list for possible subsidies," said Hassan Rahim, project manager for Cowichan Energy Alternatives. The CCM's website is www.communitycarbonmarketplace. com