Local businesses made their way to the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, on 18 June to find out how they can take control of their organisations energy and waste to save money. The event which was part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Network warned everyone of climate change and the plastic challenges facing organisations. Speakers added, that for any business to survive during the next 20 years they will have to adopt a circular economy approach.  Read more...

This month the UK Government announced its commitment to a net-zero emissions target by 2050. Coventry's current climate strategy which was published in 2012 set a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 27.5% by the year 2020. Coventry achieved this in 2014 (6 years early). We are now working on a new climate change strategy which will be launched at the end of 2020. Current projects that are being implemented in the City to reduce emissions include:

• Heatline - major buildings in the city are heated via 6.6km of buried pipes which bring waste heat from the Waste to Energy plant to the city centre 
• Funding of £1.2m to deliver 39 rapid electric vehicle chargers which are now appearing in key places around the city
• Go Electric Taxi Scheme - incentives worth £2,500 to encourage taxi drivers to move to electric vehicles
• Investment in 10 fully electric buses in partnership with National Express which will be used on key routes in the city
• Development of a Very Light Rail network which will establish the city as a trailblazer in adopting new transport technology
• Research and testing of autonomous vehicles
• Using recyclable materials in road resurfacing with Tarmac
• Centrally controlled dimmed street lighting, resulting in a 38% energy reduction across the city saving just over 5,000 tonnes of carbon 
• Supporting the green economy and delivering on the UK’s industrial strategy with a new national facility for battery manufacturing development based in Coventry

We have made progress in carbon reduction, but we need to go further still. Despite good progress at local level, new evidence continues to emerge about the scale of the likely impacts of climate change. In order to reduce the risks of severe climate change, we must act much more quickly and at scale and this gives us an opportunity to develop a new Climate Change Strategy with the local business community.  If you are interested in engaging with us on our strategy please email greenbusiness@coventry.gov.uk

This two day free course is being delivered by Coventry University Enterprises and is a practical introduction to the basic elements of 3D BIM development software. The course is delivered in a computer lab and all delegates will have access to a computer running Autodesk Revit software for the duration of the course. Participants will gain practical hands on knowledge of the essential elements of this software package. Register now.

For further details on all Green Business Network events visit our website

The Technical Assistance programme is part funded by European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), and provides support to prospective ESIF applicants and projects within Coventry & Warwickshire.  It facilitates the development of a strong pipeline of projects for each Thematic Objective.

The ERDF Technical Assistance team is available to provide support on developing any project ideas you have on the four themes of the ERDF programme within Coventry & Warwickshire:

• Supporting Research & Development (R&D) and innovation within businesses
• Enhancing access to and the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for local businesses
• Improving the competitiveness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
• Supporting the development of the low carbon economy

The ESF Technical Assistance team brings you up to date on projects launched through the 2014-2020 ESF Programme in Coventry & Warwickshire to raise skills levels within our workforce and support local residents to access employment.

We produce quarterly newsletters where we keep you updated about any new calls being released, events coming up in the Coventry & Warwickshire area and what this funding is achieving for our local residents and businesses. Sign up now.

Alarm sounded over rising packaging prices

The rapid rise in the prices of PRNs – packaging waste recovery notes – which are needed by obligated businesses to meet recycling targets is said to be causing financial strain among compliance schemes and obligated businesses.  Four plastic PRNs, for example, could now cost £1,000 whereas two years ago, four could have been bought for less than £250. Read more...

Your local air ambulance

Did you know that your local air ambulance is helping to meet businesses sustainability responsibilities through providing free clothing donation points for organisations who have the land to spare? In addition they also offer:

• Free data wiping service on all IT and mobile phones with free certifications provided for GDPR records using Blancco software.
• Recyclable charity donation bags can be sent as an alternative to a clothing bank
• A car recycling service that donates 100% of the market value of your car, at no cost to you

Find out how your business can get involved or you can email reuse@theairambulanceservice.org.uk.