Sustainability at Business West

Our commitments, our progress, and our track record helping businesses across the region become more environmentally sustainable.

How could we work together? >

What we believe and commit to

At Business West our work is to drive long-term prosperity for businesses and our region. That is at the heart of everything we do, and it is the lens through which we approach sustainability.

In December 2020, we became the first Chamber of Commerce in the UK to announce our commitment to safeguarding the environment and addressing the climate crisis. We’re working towards being net zero by 2030 and have published a carbon reduction plan that we’ll continue to update as our knowledge and action develop.

We currently track our progress through two independent accreditations: an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System, which is open to all businesses as a universal standard, and our B Corp certification - a rigorous standard that holds us accountable to putting people and planet alongside profit.

Below, you can find out more about our commitments, what we've done as a business, where sustainability fits into our current projects and partnerships, and how we could work together.

 

As a business leadership and support organisation, we have a responsibility to lead by example when it comes to sustainability. We also know, first-hand, that decarbonisation is not always straightforward. For example, as an organisation based in two Grade II* listed buildings, we've had to balance practical constraints with our ambition to reduce our environmental impact. That experience shapes how we support businesses across the region: taking a pragmatic approach, sharing what we've learned, and helping to build the skills and industries needed for a more sustainable future.

Douglas Ure

CEO, Business West

Our commitments:

 

Reducing emissions

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At Leigh Court, between 2020-2025, we reduced our gas usage by 50%, electricity usage by 12% and water usage by 16%. We are currently reviewing our next reduction target which was set as an annual 6% reduction until the sale of Leigh Court, when the target will be reviewed again.

Engaging businesses

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<p>We support our members and the wider business community as they navigate their journeys to net zero and climate resilience. This is done through our projects and connecting organisations in our networks. We know there is more we can do, and we are committed to deepening that support as our work in this space develops. You can see how sustainability is embedded in our current projects below.</p>

Accelerating the region

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We work alongside our stakeholders to help transition our region towards more sustainable outcomes and build a more climate and nature-resilient economy.

B Corp

In 2021, we became an accredited B Corporation (B Corp) and joined a global network of businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Gaining B Corp accreditation demonstrates we put people and planet at the heart of everything we do. 

Find out more on our B Corp score and additional documents here.

What we have done as a business

Our offices, Leigh Court in Bristol and Park House in Swindon, do not naturally lend themselves to energy efficiency as they are both Grade II* listed buildings.

Despite the constraints of these buildings, we work hard to champion sustainable solutions to improve our carbon footprint and be as sustainable as possible.

Here are some of the changes we have made to ensure we are leading by example and reducing our impact: 

ISO14001 certification

Implemented and maintain ISO14001 certification. This is an internationally agreed standard that helps organisations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.

Environment audit

Carbon Trust carried out an environmental audit on our business, which identified where we need to focus our efforts.

Energy modification

We have transitioned to 100% renewable electricity through Ecotricity, green gas at Park House, and 90% of our lights are now LED.

Volunteering days

187 days spent volunteering from 2024-2026, with staff using the opportunity to support environmental causes including litter picking and tree planting.

Training

Mandatory Environmental Training module for all new and current staff.

How we help others

We embed sustainability across our projects and partnerships, supporting businesses and stakeholders to make the transition to a greener economy. 

Local Skills Improvement Plans

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The Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) are central government funded research projects working to ensure post-16 technical education and training aligns with business needs.  Business West runs the LSIPs for the West of England and North Somerset, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire and Somerset (in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce). Through on-going research, the LSIP team collect insights from local businesses and stakeholders on their green skills and wider environmental needs. This research informs curriculum planning for local education and training providers, as well as strategic decisions made by Skills England and local authorities. The integration of green skills is increasingly central to the LSIP's objectives, with Clean Energy industries now a priority growth sector across our geographies and a specific area of research and engagement.

Nuclear South West

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Business West was a founding partner of Nuclear South West, a public-private partnership of industry, academic and public sector, established to champion the South West nuclear industry as the premier destination for investment, innovation and growth. Nuclear South West’s mission is to position the South West nuclear industry at the centre of the global nuclear arena, ensuring that the region is recognised and supported for its capability in the nuclear industry, and that low-carbon opportunities are maximised over the next two decades. 

Hydrogen South West

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In partnership with Hydrogen South West, we facilitate cross-sector collaborations to develop hydrogen infrastructure and technology. Hydrogen South West is a business-led infrastructure ecosystem that connects people, places and projects. The network brings a combination of industrial experience, delivery expertise and regional knowledge to help accelerate the UK’s transition to alternative power at scale, all while making a meaningful contribution to the UK’s net zero 2050 target. It raises the profile of hydrogen innovation, supports partnerships where businesses can develop low carbon hydrogen projects, and helps deliver projects including Project Acorn, Bristol Airport Hydrogen Hub, Bristol Sea Port Hydrogen Hub. 

How could we work together?

We have a track record of working with our members and the local business community to reduce carbon emissions, having previously delivered the ERDF funded Improving Your Resource Efficiency (IYRE) programme which saved companies an average of 10t CO2. 

Our previous work in this space also includes one-to-one sustainability support for organisations at the start of their net zero journey, carbon audits for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in South Gloucestershire, business engagement for low carbon training programmes, and support for local climate strategies and action plans.

We are a founding partner of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership CIC, a leading sustainability network that catalyses collective citywide action towards a zero carbon, nature-rich and socially just Bristol (now known as Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership).  

Whether you're looking for support to progress your sustainability ambitions, or you're interested in exploring opportunities to work with us on future initiatives, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch