This initiative is ongoing until the scheme has supported 200 Stevenage's local businesses to receive their Action Zero Gold accreditation.
Industrial and commercial activities 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, slash overhead costs, attract eco-conscious talent, and future-proof themselves.
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:
By working together, the Council aims to create a thriving, low-carbon business community that benefits both the environment and the local economy.
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. As of mid-2026, 155 local businesses have already utilised this tailored support.
Find out more: Wenta Action Zero Programme.
Published a webpage on sustainable business practice which included advice on embedding these practices into businesses.
In partnership with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Council secured funding from central government from the Community Renewal Fund. Part of the fund was 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 was to help micro-businesses and voluntary organisations to achieve ISO environmental accreditations that might have allowed them to work with wider supply chain.
Experts in their field explained how to make local businesses greener and increase their productivity, all that while working towards net-zero carbon goals to increase their sustainability and competitiveness. Find out more: Grow through Sustainability Conference.