Aliant, Canada

Bell Aliant is one of North America’s largest regional communications providers serving customers from Newfoundland and Labrador through to Ontario and beyond. The company is committed to integrating long-term economic, environmental and social considerations into its business operations.

In 2007, Aliant became a charter member of the Atlantic Canada Sustainability Initiative (ACSI), a network of municipalities, businesses, and other organizations working toward sustainability in Atlantic Canada. As an ACSI partner, Aliant created an implementation plan for the development of its Strategic Plan for Corporate Sustainability.

In order to build capacity and commitment to sustainability among its staff, Bell Aliant worked with The Natural Step Canada to develop a customized 1-hour eLearning program. As of December 2007, more than 100 Aliant employees had already completed Sustainability 101. Lunch and learns have also been held at a number of regional offices to educate and engage employees around sustainability issues.

Aliant was recently recognized by Natural Resources Canada for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air contaminants as a result of energy efficiency improvements to their buildings. Work is ongoing to establish Aliant’s baseline carbon footprint and implement additional carbon reduction initiatives.  Aliant’s paper use has been cut by 24% over the last two years saving more than 7.6 million sheets of paper per year and they have committed to purchasing Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper for all internal 8 ½” x 11” paper use.