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Sustainability Hub
Welcome to Chamber Sustainability Hub
Introducing our Sustainability Hub!
The Sustainability Hub has been developed to offer businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire a digital space to access all information concerning sustainability. You’ll be able to access information around energy grants, funding, energy efficiency tips, cost advice, useful links and much more.
View our Members latest Sustainability News
Read our Quarterly Economic Report
We’ll also keep you updated on the latest sustainability topics, including how Herefordshire and Worcestershire are contributing to the governments net zero target. You can also view the latest sustainability news from across the two counties, explore our upcoming sustainability events and read the sustainability edition of the Business Direction Magazine. We encourage Members to get in contact with us if they wish to share information or advice via the Sustainability Hub.
Attend our upcoming Sustainability Forum
Read our 2026-2027 Business Manifesto
Sustainability Grants and Resources
Here you’ll find a list of grants and resources available to businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire in relation to sustainability.
Environmental Community Grant
The Environmental Community Grant from Worcester City Council provides funding of £500-£1,000 to support projects that promote sustainability and positive environmental change across the city.
The grant supports initiatives such as reducing carbon emissions, cutting waste, and improving biodiversity, offering a valuable opportunity for businesses to engage with local environmental efforts.
EV Infrastructure Grant
The EV infrastructure grant for staff and fleets is for small-to-medium-sized businesses, with no more than 249 employees. Your business must be a UK-registered company, charity or public sector organisation.
The grant covers up to 75% of the cost of installing the infrastructure needed for chargepoints to operate and for future chargepoints to be installed, as well as the cost of any chargepoints installed.
Capital Allowances for Green Investments
Businesses can benefit from capital allowances on energy‑efficient items, allowing them to claim tax relief when investing in low‑carbon or energy‑saving equipment. This means the cost of qualifying technology can be deducted from taxable profits, helping to reduce overall tax bills.
By encouraging investment in sustainable equipment, this scheme helps reduce costs while improving energy efficiency.
NatWest Carbon Planner
Reducing emissions for your business is challenging and with limited resources it can be hard to decide where to focus your efforts.
Carbon Planner is free and can support you to become a more sustainable organisation, and help you to identify potential cost and carbon savings too. Use it to measure your carbon footprint by answering a few questions, get tailored actions and start building a plan to reduce your emissions.
The UK B Corporation Movement
Our most challenging global problems cannot be solved by governments and non-profits alone. By harnessing the power of their business, B Corps commit to positively impact all stakeholders – workers, communities, customers, and our planet.
Businesses that become B Corps have seen great results: committed and motivated employees, increased customer loyalty, higher levels of innovation, and market leadership.
Severn Trent Community Fund
The Severn Trent Community Fund provides £2 million annually to support charities and community projects, focusing on People, Place, and Environment.
Grants range from £2,000 to £200,000, with larger grants requiring match funding and projects to be completed within 12–24 months. An independent customer panel reviews applications, and projects must align with the fund’s well-being themes.
B Corp Accreditation
The Chamber are a certified B Corporation (or B Corp) organisation, joining a growing movement of companies that are reinventing business for the benefit of all people and our shared planet. Verified by B Lab, the not-for-profit organisation behind the B Corp movement, this achievement demonstrates that we meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, alongside a commitment to goals beyond shareholder value.
Chamber Net Zero Strategy
There are many business strategies, theories and models that reference Environmental challenges, Sustainability and Net Zero ambitions. Whether Internationally, Nationally, Locally, at a business level or as an individual, these are common topics of conversation and key drivers for positive change.
Energy Efficiency Tips
Every little helps! Here are our top tips for energy efficiency. Sometimes a series of small changes can have a large impact.
Switch off standby
Turn your appliances off standby mode when you’re not using them.
Turn off lights
Turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room.
Heating
Set thermostats correctly. Set the office to 19°C and cooling at 24°C or higher.
Educate
Ensure employees are aware of the cost of wasted heat and air conditioning costs.
Draughts
Identify sources of draughts and fit appropriate draught proofing.
Consider LEDs
Are all your lights LEDs and energy efficient? Consider making a switch.
Equipment
Encourage staff to turn off monitors and computers at the plug when they leave.
Using laptops
Switch from desktop computers to laptops, as laptops use less energy.
Reduce travel
Encourage employees to car share for journeys and use virtual meetings.
Air Conditioning
Ensure air conditioning is turned off in meeting rooms when people leave.
Sustainability Topics
Explore a range of different sustainable topics, gathering top tips and information.
Balancing AI Innovation and the Environment
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how businesses operate, with growing potential to support sustainability and improve efficiency. However, an UNEP article highlights that AI also has a significant environmental impact, requiring large amounts of energy, water, and resources, raising concerns about its long‑term sustainability. Read full article here.
ESG Reporting & Transparency
ESG reporting is becoming a key priority for businesses as expectations around transparency and accountability continue to grow. It enables organisations to measure and communicate their environmental, social, and governance performance, helping build trust with stakeholders and meet evolving regulations.
With increasing pressure from investors and consumers, strong ESG reporting is no longer optional, it is essential for demonstrating progress, managing risk, and supporting long‑term business growth
Low Carbon Heat Sources
The world’s best low-carbon heating solutions explained by Ovo Energy
It might come as a surprise to learn that as much as 15% of the UK’s total carbon emissions come from the energy we use to heat our homes. That’s because – apart from when we’re sweltering in a summer heatwave – most of the energy used by a typical household is for heating.
The good news is that low-carbon heating can make a big dent in that figure. What’s low-carbon heating, you might ask? Here’s your chance to find out about the latest heating technologies to help reduce the impact of your carbon footprint on our planet. Read full article here.
A guide to energy efficiency in the workplace
Did you know that the average small and medium sized enterprise (SME) could reduce energy bills by 18-25% by installing energy efficiency measures and implementing behavioural change?
With energy bills and operating costs on the rise, introducing energy efficiency equipment and workspaces can save your business money on energy bills.
Here, we explore key areas that will benefit from energy efficiency improvements, including heating, lighting and equipment.
Read full article here.
Solar Panels for Business: Benefits and Costs
Solar PV panels enable thousands of households across the UK to generate their own free electricity, lower their energy bills, earn income by selling electricity to the grid, and reduce their impact on the environment, but it’s not just homeowners who can benefit from solar panels.
If you own a business and your premises are suitable (i.e. your roof can accommodate solar panels), installing solar could be a great move for your future. Here we explore the benefits and costs of solar panels for business in the UK.
Read full article here.
How to reduce business waste
Making your office eco-friendlier by recycling your business waste doesn’t just polish your ‘green’ business credentials – it saves you money! This article provides helpful tips on how to reduce business waste.
Read full article here.
United Nations - Sustainable Development Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Herefordshire Green Network
The Herefordshire Green Network is a not for profit organisation that brings together local groups and individuals who are committed to a thriving Herefordshire and are working together to address the climate & ecological crises.
Greener Footprints Business Network
The Greener Footprints Business Network supports Herefordshire businesses in reducing their carbon footprint by providing access to funding, networking opportunities, and guidance on sustainable practices.
Natural Networks Programme
The Natural Networks Programme supports projects across Worcestershire by offering funding and expert advice to help create or restore wildlife habitats and improve biodiversity
Energy Systems Catapult
Energy Systems Catapult was set up to accelerate the transformation of the UK’s energy system and ensure UK businesses and consumers capture the opportunities of clean growth on the way to Net Zero.
CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism)
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) reflects the growing link between sustainability and global trade, requiring businesses to measure and report the carbon emissions of their products when exporting to the EU. By placing a carbon cost on imported goods, CBAM encourages companies to adopt more sustainable practices.
Sustainable Global Trade
As businesses expand into global markets, sustainability is becoming essential, with companies expected to reduce emissions, source responsibly, and manage their environmental and social impact, while building trust, meeting regulations, and strengthening long-term resilience.
Explore a range of sustainability topics relevant to international trade, helping businesses operate more responsibly on a global scale.
Building a Sustainable Circular Economy
The circular economy is a sustainable model that focuses on keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible through reuse, repair, recycling, and refurbishment, rather than the traditional “take‑make‑dispose” approach. This helps reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and lower emissions, while also supporting innovation and long‑term economic growth.
Supply Chain Sustainability
Supply chain sustainability focuses on reducing environmental and social impacts across every stage of a product’s lifecycle, from sourcing materials to delivery and beyond. By embedding sustainable practices such as responsible sourcing, reducing waste, and improving efficiency, businesses can lower emissions, cut costs, and build more resilient and ethical operations.
Carbon Footprinting & Net Zero
Carbon footprinting and Net Zero are critical for globally trading businesses aiming to stay competitive in a low‑carbon economy. By measuring emissions across operations and supply chains, companies can identify key impact areas and implement strategies to reduce them. Achieving Net Zero means committing to deep, science‑based emission cuts and addressing any remaining emissions responsibly, helping businesses meet regulatory requirements, strengthen stakeholder trust, and future‑proof international operations.
Green Logistics & Transport
Green logistics and transport play a key role in reducing emissions in a carbon‑intensive sector, where transport accounts for around 27% of UK emissions. By improving efficiency, adopting low‑emission vehicles, and tracking carbon data, businesses can cut costs while meeting compliance requirements and Net Zero goals.
UK Export Finance Sustainability Strategy 2024-29
The UK Export Finance Sustainability Strategy 2024-2029 outlines how the UK will support exporters in the transition to a low‑carbon economy by embedding sustainability into finance and trade. It aims to help businesses access green growth opportunities while funding projects that deliver positive environmental and social impact.
Sustainability News
Sustainability Book Series Idea Earns Worcester Students a Big Cash Boost
Two University of Worcester students have scooped a £5,000 cash investment in their business in a Dragon’s Den style event. 3rd year Business...
Family Fun and Activities at The Hive to Mark Earth Day
From ‘flying’ like a bird thanks to the magic of virtual reality to learning about the plastic polluting our oceans, families can enjoy a host of...
Thorlux drives sustainability forward with greener delivery fleet
Redditch-based Thorlux Lighting is taking significant steps to reduce its environmental impact by investing in a new fleet of electric and...
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