Network Update – June 2013

Welcome to June’s Network Update. This month; visit us at the Eco-Technology Show, pollution prevention and employee engagement videos, carbon conversion factors, cycle challenge, free EMS support for SMEs, breakfast presentations and upcoming dates.

Visit Us at the Eco-Technology Show
The Sustainable Business Network has sponsored an area at the Eco-Technology Show at the Brighton Centre on the 14th and 15th June. We’ll be exhibiting with six network members:

• Lighting specialists The Green Light Company UK
• 9001 & 14001 consultants ISO Management Solutions
• Biomass heating system suppliers Forest Heat Energy
• LED lighting experts Energy Saving Lighting
• Sustainability consultants BST Environmental Consultancy
• Biomass boiler installers Bioenergy Technology

It’ll be a one-stop-shop for sustainable business solutions, with friendly advice, a welcoming atmosphere and fresh coffee! Show website: www.ecotechnologyshow.co.uk

Free Environmental Management Systems Support for SMEs
Whilst small and medium sized businesses are often resource efficient in their nature and innovative in their environmental initiatives, they are prone to keeping quiet about their achievements. Formalising these activities in an Environmental Management System (EMS) can both demonstrate to customers environmental commitment as well help stimulate continual improvement.

Thanks to funding from West Sussex County Council and the ERDF RE:Start Local project, free one-to-one support is available to help SMEs formulate and implement an effective EMS. If you think your business would benefit, please contact us to arrange a visit from our EMS specialists. Further details.

Environmental Reporting – Conversion Figures
Looking to calculate your carbon footprint as part of your Environmental Management System? Need to assess and state how you will mitigate the likely impact of a project to win a tender? Defra, WRAP and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol provide useful figures and guidance.

• Defra – Greenhouse gas conversion factors
  Calculate carbon emissions from energy and water usage and waste disposal
• WRAP – Waste volume to mass conversion figures
  Estimate how much different waste materials weigh
• Greenhouse Gas Protocol – Scope 3 emissions
  Guidance on calculating the environmental impact of your supply chain

Breakfast Presentations Plus Shoreham-by-Sea Event Details
Businesses gathered in Horsham for a Sustainable Business Breakfast exploring environmental certification, employee engagement and supply chain management with speakers from Brighton & Hove City Council, Southern Railway and Wiles Greenworld. View their presentations on-line.

Next up… We are in Shoreham-by-Sea, 08:00 to 10:00 on the 17th July, where we’ll hear from The Body Shop, Iron Mountain and Greengauges. View the event programme. Bookings: network@sustainablebusiness.org.uk

Business Cycle Challenge – Horsham, Lewes, Chichester
Compete against other organisations in your area to see who can get the most people cycling for at least ten minutes during the three week challenge window. Free to enter. Individual and organisation prizes to be won, including a new bike and cinema tickets. Sign up on-line: Lewes, Chichester, Horsham.

Any finally…

£1,000 grants towards Green Deal Installer certification – Full details
Funding for West Sussex businesses to become authorised to install Green Deal Measures under the government’s energy efficiency scheme and be able to sub-contract for Green Deal Providers

Video: The Art of Green Jujitsu – Watch on-line
How to get employees on board with green initiatives. By Terra Infirma.

Video: Pollution Prevention Pays – Watch on-line
The Environment Agency’s free pollution prevention guidance is now also in video form.

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