Established Green Networks:
A key reason why sustainability is financially beneficial for businesses is because of the plethora of organizations, government programs, and green networks that facilitate sustainable growth. As the climate crisis takes center stage—through severe weather disasters, loss of biodiversity, and the inevitable consequences that will occur if no action is taken—governments and organizations globally have taken up the mantle. It is a government's fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their population — both now and for the future. In this case, that means becoming environmental stewards.

Meanwhile, organizations — not only nonprofits but also corporations — have become increasingly conscious of their environmental, social, and governmental (ESG) roles. Many have committed to net zero, with “Nearly 70% of the planet’s 500 largest companies now have[ing] a public climate commitment, more than ever before” (Morales). However, having a positive impact on the environment stems not only from reducing their own emissions, but also from the support they can provide other organizations — and that support is one that every small business should leverage.

Types of Incentives and Their Role:
Venturing into the world of incentives, it is easiest to think about them in three different ways. First, the funding that an organization receives, free of any obligations for repayment, because of a commitment to sustainability in some aspect, is a grant. An altered version of grants that is similar—because it is given as a catalyst for sustainable change rather than a reward—includes financing options, which are closely related to loans but designed with fewer restrictions and lower interest rates.

Next are the two types of “rewards” a business receives for already having implemented sustainable change: rebates and tax credits. Rebates are usually given by organizations, while tax credits are government-funded and reduce your existing tax payments (U.S. EPA).

Valuable Programs and Organizations:
The California Green Business Network is an organization that operates throughout California, benefiting select cities in which it has branches. If your business is located in one of those cities, you may be eligible for guided assistance, rebates, and integration into local sustainable supply chains.

A milestone achievement for the sustainability advocacy community was the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated hundreds of billions of dollars to programs and tax credits dedicated to incentivizing clean energy and green innovation (U.S. EPA).

Other notable incentives include:

• the California Climate Action program,
• the Small Business California Climate Credit,
• Silicon Valley Clean Energy,
• and federal and rural programs such as the Rural Energy for America Program and SBLP Clean Energy Financing.
  

An Extensive Research Tool:
Depending on where a small business is located, it will be eligible for certain incentives that fall within the appropriate jurisdiction. This can vary significantly by region. Fortunately,