Network Update – July 2016

Welcome to July’s Network Update. This month: Travel planning; Running a sustainable event; DECC becomes DBEIS; West Sussex solar farm goes live; Museum events; Eco-festival; Sponsorship opportunity and more!

Running a Sustainable Event

Brighton & Hove City Council have produced a short film and accompanying guidance for those keen to ensure their events make a positive contribution to the environment, society and local economy.

If you are planning an event why not sign-up to their Sustainable Event Commitment? Video and guidance.

 

Travel Planning Pack

Created by Crawley Borough Council, but relevant for organisations across Sussex and beyond, the travel planning pack provides concise guidance and practical ideas on how to effectively reduce car journeys for business trips and commuting.

There is also a Manor Royal Commuter Routes Chart showing the quickest way to reach the business park by public transport.

 

 

Sponsorship Opportunity

There are some fantastic museums and galleries across Sussex and Surrey that play an important and irreplaceable social and cultural role in the community. TheMuseum Facilities Managers Forumhelps them increase the sustainability of their operations and reduce running costs – essential in a time of public funding cuts.

A local business or organisation is sought to sponsor the forum. Can you help?

 

Just What is Waste?

Whether a material is considered waste or not has implications on how it needs to be handled and what records need to be kept. The government has released updated guidance to help clarify grey areas, for example when pallets are collected for re-use, wood shavings used for animal bedding or manufacturing by-products shipped for reprocessing. There is also information on ‘end of waste’ when waste legislation no longer applies to a material. Essential summer reading!

 

In short…

Access Fund for Sustainable Travel – More information
Funding for local authorities to help deliver sustainable transport projects.

Meadow Blue Community Solar Farm goes live! Details
Financed through a £1.2 million share offer the 5 MW solar farm near Chichester will power 1,500 homes.

Arun Business Partnership Awards 2016 – Now open
Who’ll win Green Business of the Year? Application deadline 23rd October.

Brighton Energy Co-op launches new share offer – Website
To fund new projects including a 90 kWp array at Infinity Foods. 5% interest offered.

Department for Energy & Climate Change folded – Carbon Brief article
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy created instead.

Solar increases UK market share, as coal power plummets – Article
Solar PV generation overtook coal for the first time in May 2016.

Public procurement after Brexit – Download guide
The UK was instrumental in setting many of the EU procurement regulations. How may these change? Opinions of BIP Solutions.

 

And finally…

Many thanks to all who have attended our events over the last couple of months, and especially those who those who tried their hand at beach volleyball on the Green Growth Platform Summer Social! Autumn events programme coming soon…