FREE environmental support for businesses in Cheltenham
In order to support local businesses to make positive changes, Vision 21 has secured funding for two Environment Business Advisors to work within Cheltenham and Gloucester for a period of six months.The advisors are available to visit businesses and make suggestions on how to green up and save money. They will be visiting various businesses from pubs and restaurants to estate agents and opticians. An energy audit will be carried out and they can look at bills to try and save money. At no point is there a cost for this service. The project runs until mid September.
With Cheltenham Business Pride demonstrating the council’s commitment to local businesses, the Environmental Champions project is also great way for local companies to get involved with the ‘green agenda’.
In 2008 this training was offered for the first time with BMW, Paragon Laundry, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham Borough Homes, and Heath Avery Architects all signing up a selected a member of staff to attend this half day training session. The event works to motivate and enable them to become an Environmental Champion for their work place thus reducing their emissions and making financial savings.
The training will run again this year on Tuesday July 6th from 12.50 pm - 5pm at The University of Gloucestershire, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham .
The interactive and stimulating session will examine the complex issues of climate change, including how business both has an impact on our climate and how climate change will in turn have an impact on business. The champions will also be given practical support, over future weeks, that will help reduce the impact of, and lead to savings in transport, procurement and energy. This is likely to involve site visits and/or remote support.
There are many interconnected reasons for taking voluntary action to combat climate change; it may be to improve the balance sheet - since saving energy and resources, saves money. This issue has been bought into focus with the credit crunch and the possibility of a recession looming. Improving your green credentials can also create competitive advantage in a crowded market place and satisfy growing customer demand or shareholder pressure.
Graham Philpot, Economic Development Officer of Cheltenham Borough Council said “This opportunity gives local businesses the confidence to actively seek change where it is needed and make a difference. With the introduction of these specially chosen Environmental Champions, they should have the necessary skills in place to help reduce the impact of climate change and offer savings in transport, procurement and energy to the local economy. Thanks to the efforts of these champions, everyone will be able to benefit.”
If you would like more information please contact Vision 21 on 01242 224321
Further information:
Vision 21 (Gloucestershire) promotes local solutions to the global sustainability issues of climate change, peak oil, ecological debt, ecosystem destruction, food and water security. It works within Gloucestershire to change attitudes and behaviour to enable communities to adapt to these issues and live on a sustainable personal carbon allowance and the resources of one planet.
