A network set up by the Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick to bring together likeminded companies to discuss how sustainability can be brought into manufacturing.
Attached Page: Climate Resilience
West Midlands Net Zero Pledge
A way to demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and being on a journey to net zero.
Single-use plastics ban and restrictions – from UK government
Government guidance for businesses: you must supply certain single-use plastic items in England, except for some exemptions.
Net Zero: What businesses need to know – from The Carbon Trust
Answers to questions about net zero.
BioChar CleanTech Accelerator
A partnership programme to commercialise biochar and related bioproducts.
Sustainable Business Support Hub – from Sustainability West Midlands
The Sustainable Business Support Hub page is currently being updated.
Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme
Information, advice and support to help you make decarbonisation and money-saving changes to your business.
Free business energy assessment – part of the Decarbonisation Net Zero programme
Information, expert advice, energy audits, support and grants, delivered via the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme.
Green Advantage – from Aston University
A skills bootcamp for exploring environmental sustainability in your business.
Carbon Literacy Training – from the West Midlands Combined Authority
Free Carbon Literacy training for anyone living or working in the West Midlands.
UK Business Climate Club – from UK government
Tools and information to help UK businesses cut their carbon emissions. It includes the SME Climate Commitment, asking you to pledge to achieve net zero before 2050.
EnTRESS (Environmental Technologies and Resources Efficiency Support Services) – from the University of Wolverhampton
Support for Black Country SMEs with adopting environmental technologies and resource efficiency processes, backed by academic research.
Guidance on how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions – from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
A Defra guide to help businesses reduce their contribution to climate change by measuring and reporting their greenhouse gas emissions.
The Carbon Trust
Energy-efficiency support, energy assessments and funding for SMEs in England, Scotland and Wales.
ATETA at the University of Birmingham
An SME engagement programme to support businesses (with fewer than 250 employees and less than £50m turnover) to identify opportunities for clean energy innovation.
ARLI (Alternative Raw Materials with Low Impact) – from the University of Birmingham
Funded advice and technical support to eligible SMEs (including in the Black Country) on developing innovative low-carbon products and processes.
Sandwell businesses and entrepreneurs don’t just share a borough, we share a planet.
Our climate is changing in Sandwell and across the world, largely due to our lifestyles which are dependent on fossil fuels (using oil, coal and gas). Climate change means that our weather will become more extreme, leading to increasing numbers of flooding events and heatwaves.
Sandwell Council has declared a climate emergency. One of our seven economic priorities is ‘Net Zero in Sandwell’. We need to work together to build climate resilience: reducing and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
What is net zero?
We all have a responsibility to create a cleaner, greener environment. As a bonus, you may find a wealth of business growth opportunities on your journey to net zero.
“Put simply, net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance” – United Nations.
You can register for an energy audit via the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme.
Sandwell Business Growth Plan
Launched in October 2024, the Sandwell Business Growth Plan sets out Sandwell Council’s strategy to support businesses over the next two financial years. Download it below and see how ‘Net Zero in Sandwell’ is embedded into our plans:
Sandwell Business Growth Plan
Download
You can also download the 2023 growth plan here.
Discover Opportunities in the Green Economy
Business Growth West Midlands has launched the Green Economy Series, a fully funded programme designed to help Midlands businesses explore sustainability and unlock growth opportunities within the green economy. Running from December 2024 to February 2025, this series includes expert-led workshops, networking opportunities, and one-to-one consultations to support businesses on their green journey.
Learn more about the Green Economy Series and register here.
More information and resources
