The city of Portland is launching its first Carbon Footprint Workshop series to help businesses learn how to offset their emissions.  The three-part series is offered to participants in the city’s BEST Business Center, which works with businesses to help them become more environmentally sustainable.

The city and its sustainability partners invited Carbon Smart, an environmental firm from Vancouver, B.C., to lead the series after it realized local businesses are interested in their carbon footprints, but need more information about the issue.

Participants will learn what information they need to calculate their carbon impact and will develop strategies for reducing it. Carbon Smart reports it has worked with more than 100 firms in Canada and has helped them shave tens of thousands of dollars from their power bills.

The class meets April 30, June 3 and June 16. Workshop fees range from $200 to $500, depending on the size of the business. BEST’s Marlowe Kulley notes the fee is a lot cheaper than hiring a consultant.  Participating businesses will recoup their money quickly, she said.