26 for COP26: 26 businesses in the West with net zero solutions

Author
Nina Skubala
Head of Climate Strategy | Business West
8th November 2021

Our 26 for COP26 series continues, as we discuss the challenges modern day businesses are presented with because of climate change, which can seem like a minefield. A surge in action taken by the UK government has introduced regulations which force businesses to take climate action quickly. 

We know the pressure this puts on businesses as they are expecting to make a fast adjustment in this environment. However, businesses are well placed, as they can not only benefit from a net zero transition, but they can also pave the way for future sustainable strategies. This can be seen particularly when we look at businesses that offer a ‘clean’ solution for reducing the impacts of climate change devastation. For some businesses, seizing these opportunities will require scaling existing activities, building strategic partnerships or finding routes to access new markets. For others they need investment in breakthrough climate technologies, a new mindset, and even the rewiring of their operations and supply chains. 

To realise these possible benefits, however, it’s essential that all businesses encourage policymakers to bring forward clear, consistent and ambitious policies to enable economically viable routes to rapid decarbonisation. This transition presents enormous challenges across all aspects of the economy. With all of this in mind, we wanted to highlight some businesses in the South West that can be seen as notable business pioneers in offering sustainable solutions for other businesses and communities:

  1. Project Vana – networks with corporate landowners with afforestation groups with the aim of increasing tree planting in the UK. Its founder Jaya Chakrabarti is the current President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and West of England Initiative.

  2. Converging World - a Bristol based Initiative Member that funds renewable projects and tree planting in India.

  3. Ecologi - is a tech platform that enables businesses to offset their carbon footprint using verified gold offsets and tree plants. Business West has worked with Ecologi for 9 months, during that time it has reduced carbon by 1137 tonnes of carbon and has planted 20,835 trees. 

  4. Washing Machine Project - based in Bath, with 70% of the world's population not having access to an electric washing machine they have created an off-grid solution. Read here to learn how they worked with Business West to export to Iraq. 

  5. Lisarb Energy - based in Barnstaple, they have successfully entered the Brazilian market with its solar energy solution. Over the last year the company’s exports have grown by 500%; it is now forecasting export sales of £125 million over the next five years. Learn how they worked with our Export team.

  6. Solarsense - is one of the UK’s most established solar panel and clean energy technology installers. Based in North Somerset, they were established 25 years ago. The company has installed more than 14,000 residential, commercial and industrial renewable energy installations. 

  7. Albotherm - a Bristol University spin-out company that is developing glass coatings that turn from transparent to white to glass buildings overheating in hot sunny. This helps keeps buildings cool and reduces the need for air conditioning which accounts 10% of total global electricity usage. Read our interview with CEO Molly Allington.

  8. Future Shift - a member of the Chamber of Commerce based in Bristol. Recognising the challenges SMEs have in becoming a B Corporation (B Corp), they have created an online platform that will help SMEs work towards becoming B Corps. 

  9. Recycling Technologies - a Swindon Initiative member who are developing modular technology. This can be mass produced to recycle plastic waste into feedstock for new plastic production. This will help divert plastic waste away from landfill, incineration and leaking into our environment. 

  10. Flexi-Hex - a packaging company providing a fully recyclable product which is an alternative to plastic. Learn more about how they are working with Business West to enter the US market.

  11. Tru-Tension - this Bristol based company have developed a tool to improve bike maintenance. They have trebled their exports to the US on account for a growth in bike riding.

  12. Cornish Lithium - are poised to help grow the UK EV industry, providing the main component for batteries, domestic sourced lithium. Car batteries account for 40% of an EV’s overall cost, importing them across borders can be expensive, hazardous and disruptive to the supply chain. Learn more about how they are working with Business West.

  13. TFP Hydrogen Products - a specialist in the manufacturing and development of electrochemical materials based in Cornwall. These are used in devices such as hydrogen generators, fuel cells, batteries which are key technologies for the transition to Net Zero. Read more about how they secured new business in Denmark and are expected to grow here.

  14. Date Palm Developments - a horticultural company based in Somerset that specialises in the micro-propagation of date palms, exporting around 150,000 of them to some of the driest regions in the world. Date Palms can be used for reclamation and stabilisation of soils for example in farming areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and are becoming a valued part of projects to combat desertification which helps to limit climate change. Read about their journey and how their turnover has tripled.

  15. Circular Cup - uses single use coffee cups to produce re-usable cup. It's the biggest trade partners are Benelux, Canada, and Czech Republic even though they are based in Cornwall. Learn more about how they are working with Business West to increase its export by 1200%.

  16. Pure Electric - are an Initiative Member based in Somerset that provides E-micro mobility solutions. They are experiencing rapid growth in demand for E-scooters and have now opened their 18th UK outlet. They hope to have 500 stores across Europe by 2028.

  17. Hydro Surv - have developed a range of revolutionary Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) to measure the effects of climate change in coastal areas and gather critical data for the ocean industries. They are based in Devon but also plan to expand to Canada. 

  18. QLM - provide camera systems that continuously visualise and quantify greenhouse gas emissions. They have raised £3.1m in seed funding and have won a Bloomberg award. 

  19. Halcyan - Bristol based has created a product to reduce limescale build-up in areas of hard water; which if left unaddressed reduces boiler efficiency and therefore its energy consumption by 7-10%. Learn more about how they are working with our Innovation Advisors.

  20. Earthly Biochar - produce a soil supplement that is made from waste wood. The production process has the additional benefit of capturing the carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere by the wood rotting or being incinerated. Turning down angel investment, the business is taking on young people through the Kickstart scheme. Learn more about their work with our Innovation team.

  21. Arc Marine - a Devon based company, have created a product that can create an artificial reef. This protects coastlines from storms and creates new habitats for wildlife. Learn more here.

  22. Unicard - in Dorset, a smart transport and ticketing company providing technology that supports 60% of all UK Local Authorities. They provide the ticketing system for Swift, the second largest mass transit scheme in the UK. They have secured £175,000 to develop its Smart Mobility real time data platform that monitors micro-mobility services (e.g. dock-less bikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicle rentals).

  23. Co-Charger - a community charging scheme based in Devon, giving motorists with EV chargers the opportunity to share them. They are currently backing the #BristolDrivingChange campaign which is encouraging businesses and residents to take up Electric Vehicles ahead of the Clean Air Zone being implemented in Bristol. Learn more about the campaign here.

  24. Action Net Zero - is a Chamber of Commerce member that brings together industry partners to drive business adopt net zero behaviours, its current campaign is #BristolDrivingChange which is to map out EV charging provision in the city and encourage residents and businesses to take up EV to decarbonise and prepare ahead of the Clean Air Zone.

  25. Resource Futures - an Initiative Member which works with clients across the private, public and non-profit sectors to enable better use of resources. This includes reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling and adopting circular business models.

  26. Future ground - work with private and public sector clients on strategic sustainability and energy efficiency.

Business West is a B Corp that works with 20,000 businesses across the South West through its Chamber of Commerce and Initiative business leadership networks as well as the services it delivers to enable businesses to start up, grow, upskill, innovate and export. It has set its own Net Zero by 2030 target, is committed to work with its members and network to decarbonise businesses and develop the solutions to Net Zero through #TradingToNetZero and to work with local government and other stakeholders to accelerate progress towards Net Zero. For more infomation about what your business can do to tackle climate change, visit our Net Zero Portal.

Thank you to net zero interns Simisola Onile-Ere Rotimi and Fionuala Lloyd for their input in writing this blog.

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