Green Business Partners

Fairfax County’s Green Business Partners program brings together local business leaders with a variety of networking, educational, promotional, and employee engagement benefits to support energy and climate-focused business development. The program also honors and celebrates current leaders in this field, teaches how green business practices can reduce costs, shares resources like grants or other incentives, and gives a platform for learning through peer exchange.

The Green Business Partners Program has two different levels of participation:

Members:

Businesses that are not yet implementing but are interested in adopting sustainable business practices, or Businesses that have taken initial steps to adopt practices, programs, and/or policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including energy management and reduction; water conservation; waste management and reduction; transportation; sustainable procurement; and employee engagement.

Leaders:

Businesses that have integrated sustainability into their business model by: Implementing sustainable business practices that can be demonstrated, or  Certification through a third-party organization or current participation/recognition from a nationally or locally-recognized sustainability program (e.g., ENERGY STAR®, ISO 14001, LEED Certification, EPA’s Green Power Partnership, etc.)

Learn more with our Informational Tri-Fold Brochure (PDF) or Informational One Pager (PDF).

Participation in the Green Business Partners program is free! You will have access to a variety of networking, educational, promotional, and employee engagement benefits to support energy and climate-focused business development. Your business will also be recognized as part of a county-wide sustainability effort.
 
Members and Leaders will:

• Set themselves apart from other businesses with a Member or Leader GBP logo, window decal, and a certificate of program membership.
• Gain recognition and be featured on social media and Fairfax County’s website.
• Receive educational materials to support implementation of sustainable business practices.
• Network with other Fairfax County business to share success stories and learn from each other through webinars and other events.

 
Leaders will also:

• Receive future recognition through video profiles and mentions on Fairfax Government Channel 16, Fairfax County’s website, and social media.

To be eligible to join the Green Business Partners program, all participants must have:

• A physical location in Fairfax County; and
• A current Virginia business license.

Members:

• Have implemented, or will implement at least three sustainability practices within one year of membership;
• Sign a pledge that the business has implemented or will implement at least three sustainable business practices within one year of membership; and
• Demonstrate adoption of at least three sustainable business practices after one year of membership.

Leaders:

• Certification through a third-party organization or current participation/recognition from a nationally or locally-recognized sustainability program (e.g., ENERGY STAR®, ISO 14001, LEED Certification, EPA’s Green Power Partnership, etc.),

OR

• Recognized by a third-party for their sustainable business leadership and can demonstrate they have integrated sustainability into their business model.

Participation in the Green Business Partners program is free! To join the program, follow the steps below:

1. Select your partner type and review the eligibility requirements above.
2. Complete and submit a participation agreement.

• Industry Sector Definitions (webpage)
• List of Sustainable Business Practices (webpage)
• Alternative Fuels Data Center: Workplace Charging for Electric Vehicles (webpage)
• Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency Program (C-Pace) (webpage)
• Green Meetings Information and Resources (webpage)

• Who can participate in the Green Business Partners program?
  
  All businesses no matter the sector (retail, healthcare, information technology, finance, etc.) or the size (micros, small, corporate) are welcome to participate. Those applying must have a valid Fairfax County business license.
   
• What if my business doesn’t have a BPOL number?
  
  While a business must be registered with Fairfax County to join the program, we understand that some businesses are exempt from BPOL or are just getting established. If you are a Fairfax County business in but don't have a BPOL number, please note the reason why in the application field where the BPOL number is requested.
   
• Do Green Business Partners have to be in Fairfax County?
  
  Yes, participants must be located within Fairfax County. However, we encourage all businesses to make sustainable choices in their operations.
   
• What commitments do Green Business Partners make?
  
  Businesses accepted into the Member level need to commit to and demonstrate implementation of at least 3 sustainable practices within one year of membership.  
  
  Green Business Partners program staff are here to help! Please email us at greenbusiness@fairfaxcounty.gov and we can connect you to information and resources that may assist your company in its efforts to be more sustainable.
   
• How long is membership valid?
  
  Membership is valid for 1 year and will be renewed at the start of each fiscal year (July 1) as long as the member can demonstrate implementation of at least 3 sustainable practices in the prior year of membership.
   
• Is there a cost to participate?
  
  No! Participation in the program is FREE for Fairfax County businesses.
   
• Are non-profit organizations eligible for membership?
  
  Only Fairfax County businesses with a valid business license are eligible for the Membership or Leader level. However, the program is interested in partnering with any organization interested in promoting climate action and sustainability practices. Non-profit organizations, trade groups or other organizations that don’t meet the membership criteria can still be recognized as an “Ally” of the program.  
  
  If you have questions about eligibility, please email us at greenbusiness@fairfaxcounty.gov.
   
• Is there technical assistance to help businesses meet third-party certifications (LEED, ENERGY STAR, ISO 14001, etc.)?
  
  Currently, the program does not provide technical assistance. However, the program does offer other related benefits such as general information and resources, networking, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities to help businesses grow in their sustainability efforts.