South Gloucestershire has high industrial and commercial emissions with 62% of emissions produced by this sector, compared to 38% for the South West (Source: DEFRA).
South Gloucestershire Council have produced a Sustainability Climate Change Report of which the overall target is to achieve a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 with a reduction of 20% by 2010 (on a 1990 baseline).
Local businesses have a key part to play and listed below are a number of agencies who provide support services to businesses on understanding environmental regulations, sustainable practices and future development.
NETREGS
NetRegs help small and medium sized enterprises understand the complex environmental regulations that can affect them, how to comply with environmental law as well as advice on good environmental practice.
Sustainability South West
Sustainability South West is an advisory and awareness-raising charity that works with businesses to ‘future proof’ their activities.
REGEN SW
Regen SW helps speed up the transition to a low-carbon economy in the South West. It unlocks sustainable energy business opportunities; gives independent advice to decision makers; acts as a sounding board for developers; supports demonstrator projects across a range of technologies; and stimulates an informed public debate about sustainable energy.
Envision South West
Envision provides low carbon and environmental business specialist advice on how to save money and grow your business covering carbon energy, water, waste, EMS, marketing, transport and business development opportunities. Businesses are eligible for subsidised tailored support.
Envirowise
Envirowise offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact. Guidance is available through a dedicated free helpline, on-site visits by expert advisers, information in case studies and best practice via the Envirowise website.
Forum for the Future
Founded in 1996, Forum for the Future is an independent, non-profit organisation with a mission to promote sustainable development. Forum for the Future help businesses and public service providers to understand and manage the risks that change will bring, to find new opportunities in tackling these global challenges, to implement their own commitments to social and environmental responsibility, and to work with others to overcome barriers to action.
Links to these and other websites can be found opposite.
South Gloucestershire Council can assist businesses with creating workplace travel plans designed to reduce single-occupancy car use for journeys to and from work and for business travel. Contact the Transport Policy Team for more information: transport.policy@southglos.gov.uk or 01454 868004.
For information on climate change adaptation and the South Gloucestershire Climate Change Strategy contact the Sustainability Team: sustainability@southglos.gov.uk or 01454 863468.