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BU1Support corporate sustainability for local businesses

Progress

  • Discussion
  • Not started
  • Initial scoping
  • Planning stage
  • Underway
  • Continuous
On time

This initiative is ongoing until the scheme has supported 200 Stevenage's local businesses to receive their Action Zero Gold accreditation.

Lead paragraph

Stevenage Borough Council is committed to fostering a greener, more resilient, sustainable future by actively engaging with local businesses. Through knowledge-sharing and hands-on support, the Council aims to actively support businesses become more sustainable, reduce their carbon footprint, adapt to climate change, and unlock emerging opportunities in the growing green economy.

Description


Industrial and commercial businesses are responsible for around one-third of Stevenage's total territorial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, encouraging local businesses to embrace sustainability is crucial for tackling climate change across the town.

By integrating energy-efficient processes and technologies, waste reduction initiatives, and responsible sourcing practices, businesses not only contribute to mitigating climate change and a healthier environment, but they also enhance their resilience and competitiveness.

A strong commitment to sustainability cultivates a culture of environmental consciousness that extends beyond the workplace, shaping customer preferences, influencing community behaviours, and driving long-term, inclusive economic growth. This initiative aims to:

  • Share Knowledge: Provide access to up-to-date information, best practices, and expert guidance on sustainability, making it approachable and practical.
  • Support Carbon Footprint Reduction: Assist businesses in identifying and implementing effective strategies to measure and lower their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, reduce energy use, transition to low-carbon operations, and achieve net-zero goals.
  • Adapt to Climate Change: Help businesses prepare for and respond to climate-related risks like extreme weather, supply chain disruption, and rising energy costs, ensuring continuity and resilience.
  • Explore Green Opportunities: Encourage businesses to seek out and capitalise on opportunities within the green economy.

By working together, the Council aims to create a thriving, low-carbon business community that benefits both the environment and the local economy.


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Tasks

What are we doing?

  • Todo03/2026

    Wenta's Action Zero Programme: Net-zero support for SMEs

    Since 2022, the Council has funded 200 Gold Memberships for Wenta's Action Zero Programme, its net zero support service that help Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to better understand the risks and opportunities related to climate change and net zero targets. The service includes evaluation of carbon footprint, setting reduction targets, developing carbon reduction plans, monitoring and reporting progress. Along with the support and guidance, SME's could also obtain environmental accreditation to demonstrate their commitment to climate action and net-zero.

    Find out more: Wenta Action Zero Programme.

What has been done?

  • Done06/02/2024

    Create a webpage on sustainable business practice

    Publish a webpage on sustainable business practice which includes advice on embedding these practices into businesses. The webpage can be viewed here: Sustainable Business Practice

  • Done31/03/2023

    Sustainability support through Community Renewal Funding programme

    In partnership with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to secured funding from central government from the Community Renewal Fund. Part of the fund is used to support micro businesses and voluntary organisations by hosting sustainability planning workshops to identify cost savings and provide an opportunity for networking. The aim of the programme is to help micro businesses and voluntary organisations to achieve ISO environmental accreditations that might allow them to work with wider supply chain.

    Find out more: Hertfordshire's partnership succeeds in wealth building bid.

  • Done15/03/2022

    Grow through Sustainability Conference 2022

    Experts in their field explain how to make your business greener and increase your productivity, all the while working towards net carbon goals to increase your sustainability and competitiveness.

    Find out more: Grow through Sustainability Conference.

Summary and contacts

Timeline

Continuous

Portfolio Holder

Strategic Themes

Engagement type

Information updated 19/06/2025