By Rosie Sweetman, SEWBCC Vice-Chair
Over the past year, the South East Wales Business Climate Coalition (SEWBCC) ran a mapping exercise to further understand sustainability related services and support available for businesses in the region.
Thanks to Auditel, Business in Focus, Business in the Community, Business Wales, Cardiff Capital Region, Chambers Wales, FSB Wales, Net Zero industry Wales and Sweetmans for helping us shape the survey, and engage businesses, so that we can work together to avoid duplication and meet our shared aim of a climate resilient, low-carbon future.
Key findings include:
- Businesses are motivated by a mix of strategic intent, personal commitment and cost considerations.
- Many are already taking action on energy efficiency and waste reduction.
- However, cost, time constraints, uncertainty and access to finance remain significant barriers.
We also heard that the landscape can feel fragmented, that support can be hard to navigate, particularly for SMEs, and that even when there is a commitment to responsible business practices, knowledge doesn’t always reach those who might need access to it most – particularly in those sectors that are outside typical business networks.
This insight has informed our plans. With a smaller steering group and a growing membership base of over 80 businesses we will be working to:
- Improve visibility of the support, funding and methodologies available
- Frame decarbonisation and climate resilience in practical, jargon-free business terms, with real examples
- Create opportunities for collaboration and shared learning through a series of small, sector-focussed events over the next 12 months.
We’re excited for our plans for this coming year and would love you to join us. There’s no cost and you’ll be part of a business-led movement committed to practical progress and collaboration.
Take action today and sign up here.