Network Update – September 2013

Welcome to September’s Network Update. This month; Community centre energy and water savings; Thermal imaging and LED lighting at upcoming Crawley breakfast, Subsidised environmental management course; Environment and climate change business forum; Carbon pollution – scarier sounding?

Case Study: Energy & Water Savings at Community Buildings
Four community buildings in Mid Sussex have installed energy and water saving projects. Each looked to solve issues individual to their premises. Hapstead Hall in Ardingly, for example, fitted new controls to their heating system to allow them to independently manage the temperature in the two main rooms and communal areas. Originally, it had only been possible to switch ‘on’ or ‘off’ the heating across the whole building, meaning that rooms were often heated when not is use. They expect to save 12,000 kWh and £450 per year. Read full case study.

Breakfast – 5th November: Thermal Imaging and LED Lighting
Join us in Crawley for our next Sustainable Business Breakfast, focussing on energy efficient and sustainable buildings. We’ll have a live thermal camera demonstration from G&S Energy and an update on the latest energy efficient lighting solutions from The Green Light Company UK. Plus networking, fresh coffee and bacon butties! £20 or £30 for two.

Bookings: network@sustainablebusiness.org.uk or 01444 47501. Further details.

Carbon Pollution: Scarier Sounding?
‘Carbon Pollution’ is a favourite of Barack Obama. It sounds nastier and more relevant to Joe Public than ‘Climate Change’ or ‘Global Warming.’ Everybody knows pollution is bad and dangerous. On an overcast morning global warming sounds quite tempting.

Language in the office is just as important, with positive terminology and actions getting better results. Some people take pleasure in leaving their monitor switched on because the room is plastered with ‘Turn it off!’ stickers. A chocolate on their desk in the morning for switching it off may change their mind.

One company we know promised staff that all energy cost savings in the next two months would go towards the summer BBQ. The Christmas Party is coming up, have a word with the boss!

Free & Subsidised Environmental Training Course for Businesses
UTILISE is a morning course to help organisations identify areas at their premises where they can reduce energy and water usage, minimise waste and improve their environmental performance. Over 300 organisations have attended to date, view case studies.

Courses subsidised by the Sustainable Business Partnership CIC are being held in Horsham on the 28th November and Chichester on the 29th January. The cost is £25 for West Sussex organisations and £50 for others.

Free courses are being held in Haywards Heath on the 15th October for Mid Sussex businesses (funded by Mid Sussex District Council) and in Crawley on the 11th December for museums and art organisations (funded by the Museum Development Service).

The course is verified by the AQA Unit Award Scheme with delegates able to gain a certificate or learning from the certification body for £25. Full course and booking details: www.sustainablebusiness.org.uk/utilise

Conference: Your Business. Your Future. Your Environment
The West Sussex Environment & Climate Change Board invites you to join businesses and organisations from throughout the county to their inaugural Business to Business Group event, exploring the meaning of sustainability to businesses and the challenges and opportunities it presents. 1st October, Bognor Regis. Event and booking details.

Last but not least…

British Gas or Carillion? Meet-the-Buyer Events – Further details
The two companies are competing to be the Sussex Councils’ preferred Green Deal and ECO Provider. Meet the winner. Crawley, Brighton, Worthing, Hastings.

Government Funded Training Vouchers – Course details
£300 subsidy available for five-day IEMA approved Environmental Auditing Course at the University of Brighton. 14th to 18th October.

Opportunity: Carbon Reduction Behaviour Change Consultant – Tender details
Brighton & Hove City Council are seeking a consultant. Deadline 26th September 2013.

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