Who can Help
It's actually a fact that companies who use sustainability reap the rewards. The statistics below speak for themselves:
- 49% of consumers take note of green aspects when making a buying decision
- 74% say information on a companies' social and ethical behaviour influence their purchasing decisions.
So, on this page you'll find some businesses who can help you make your own business a greener one. Contact them for more information and, remember, some changes don't necessarily need to cost much and could save you money in the long run.
Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust helps businesses and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supports the development of low carbon technologies. They can help you in the following key areas:
- Energy Surveys - a free visit from an independent, accredited consultant could identify energy saving opportunities within your business
- Energy-Efficiency Loans - interest free loans may be available to small and medium sized businesses seeking to replace/upgrade equipment with energy saving alternatives
- Free interactive training workshops
- Energy Helpline - the Energy Helpline offers free advice on any aspect of energy saving - 0800 085 2005
- Website - the website offers self assessment tools, a guide to actions you can take and more.
Hospitable Climates
Hospitable Climates is the FREE energy advisory programme for the hospitality sector, funded by Carbon Trust, managed by the Institute of Hospitality and supported by Tourism South East.
Hospitable Climates offer best practice advice and information on:
- energy efficiency
- building design
- water and waste management
- sustainable food procurement, and
- renewable energy technologies.
Hospitable Climates aim to provide an authoritative one stop shop from which hospitality businesses may obtain the information and advice they need in order to manage their environmental impact successfully.
Suss it
Sponsored by the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA), the Suss it project has been running since 2005. Through the development of a business tool that can monitor sustainability performance in small businesses, Suss it can help you track:
- economic wellbeing
- environmental performance
- social responsibility.
They can also provide you with customised sustainability reports - contact them for more information.
Betre
The betre programme offers a range of FREE practical advice to small and medium sized businesses on how to save costs through reducing waste, energy and water use. Over 300 small businesses have so far benefited from their services, which have:
- reduced costs - businesses have already saved over £235,000 in running costs
- reduced waste - so far, 1650 tonnes of waste have been diverted per year from local landfills
- saved energy - a small car could be driven over 3 million miles per year on the energy already saved
- reduced carbon emissions - to date emissions have been cut equivalent to filling 1043 Boeing 767s per year
- saved water - on the water saved, 4 Olympic sized swimming pools could be filled per year
- helped businesses meet compliance and manage risk.
Betre offer the following services for FREE:
- Seminars and Training Events
- Environmental Reviews
- Green Action Grants
- Information and Support
- Environmental Management Systems
Contact Betre on 01273 245654 or help@ecosys.org.uk for more information.
Climate change for Businesses
Climate Change for Businesses is a great downloadable PDF guide for businesses in Brighton & Hove, published by the Sustainability Team at Brighton & Hove Council.
Businesses are responsible for nearly a third of Brighton & Hove’s carbon emissions and this comprehensive guide shows what you can do to really help make a difference.
Visit South East England
The Visit South East England site offers lots of useful information on sustainable tourism, including:
- a free downloadable Guide to Sustainable Tourism for Dummies
- ways to improve your energy efficiency
- downloadable stickers and promotional cards to remind guests of the importance of minimising water usage
- information on using local products and services
