Episodes

  • 17: Sustainability Simplified: A Guide for West Midlands and Warwickshire Businesses

    17: Sustainability Simplified: A Guide for West Midlands and Warwickshire Businesses
    Apr 22 2024
    In this episode we speak to Anna Bright, CEO of Sustainability West Midlands.

    Sustainability West Midlands is the sustainability champion for the West Midlands. They are a not-for-profit company that works with our members in the private, public and third sectors.

    Anna has been working with organisations to improve their sustainability for over 20 years and has a private sector background in water, waste and wastewater management. As Chief Executive at Sustainability West Midlands she has worked with businesses, universities, colleges, local authorities, the health sector and the West Midlands Combined Authority to help shape the way that they mitigate and adapt to climate change. Anna is on the board of the Midlands Net Zero Hub and the Midlands Engine Green Growth Board, and she is a Trustee for the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.

    In this episode, we discuss:

    • The concept of "net zero," highlighting its importance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of global warming.
    • Emissions offsetting
    • The support available for businesses, including free advice on energy consumption, waste management, and circular economy practices.
    • West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge, an initiative which provides free support to businesses committed to sustainability.
    • The importance of having a clear vision, strategy, and plan for sustainability
    • The potential benefits for businesses that prioritise sustainability, including cost savings, improved reputation, and competitive advantages in procurement processes.
    Podcast host:
    • Jonathan Howl (Host) - Energy Advisor, Coventry City Council
    Guest speaker:
    • Anna Bright, CEO - Sustainability West Midlands
    Podcast producer:
    • Maria Covlea, Marketing and Events Lead, Coventry City Council

    Useful links:
    • Register for an energy audit (West Midlands Businesses)
    • Register for an energy audit (Warwickshire Businesses)
    • Learn more about the DNZ Programme
    • Become a member of the Green Business Network (Free membership)
    • Sustainability West Midlands website
    • Carbon accounting webinar recording
    • Podcast feedback form
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    29 mins
  • 16: Birmingham's Sustainability Trailblazers: Central Mailing Services

    16: Birmingham's Sustainability Trailblazers: Central Mailing Services
    Mar 13 2024
    In this episode, we speak to Robin Carruthers, Operation Manager at Central Mailing Services, a business based in Birmingham.

    Robin Carruthers shares their sustainability journey, which aims to become carbon neutral by 2028. He highlights some of the projects and initiatives they have undertaken or planned, such as solar panels, electric vehicles, waste segregation, ISO standards, staff engagement and local partnerships.

    Useful links:
    • Register for an energy audit (West Midlands Businesses)
    • Register for an energy audit (Warwickshire Businesses)
    • Learn more about the DNZ Programme
    • Become a member of the Green Business Network (Free membership)
    • Central Mailing Services website
    • Podcast feedback form
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    21 mins
  • 15: Certified Sustainability: Inside Datagraphic's ISO & B Corp Journey

    15: Certified Sustainability: Inside Datagraphic's ISO & B Corp Journey
    Jan 31 2024
    In this episode, we speak to Peter Wells, Sustainability Manager at Datagraphic.

    Key Topics:

    • Carbon reduction plan: Datagraphic has an ambitious and validated plan to achieve net zero by 2050, with a 50.6% reduction by 2028, aligned with science-based targets and UN SDGs.
    • Solar PV installation: Datagraphic can run its entire operations on sunlight when the sun is shining, thanks to the large-scale solar PV installation across both sites, supported by Coventry Council grants.
    • Scope 3 emissions: Datagraphic faces challenges in engaging its supply chain to reduce their emissions, and plans to make carbon reduction a selection criterion for future partners.
    • ISO certifications and B Corp assessment: Datagraphic has achieved several ISO standards for quality, environment and security, and is undergoing B Corp assessment to demonstrate its social and environmental impact and values.
    • Advice for other businesses: Datagraphic encourages other businesses to start their carbon reduction journey by measuring their footprint and seeking help from experts and peers. It also highlights the benefits of cost savings, staff engagement and tender opportunities.
    Useful links:
    • Register for an energy audit (West Midlands Businesses)
    • Register for an energy audit (Warwickshire Businesses)
    • Register for our next webinar (Carbon Accounting 28 February)
    • Learn more about the DNZ Programme
    • Become a member of the Green Business Network (Free membership)
    • Datagraphic website
    • Datagraphic Carbon Reduction Plan
    • Datagraphic Social Impact
    • Podcast feedback form
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    22 mins
  • 14: Strategic Decarbonisation: Transforming carbon reduction into a competitive advantage

    14: Strategic Decarbonisation: Transforming carbon reduction into a competitive advantage
    Dec 6 2023
    In this episode, we talk with Matthew Rhodes, Director of Camirus.  Matthew has been a leading voice for the decarbonisation efforts of the West Midlands in the last two decades.

    Leading a portfolio of collaborative innovation projects centred around energy, industrial decarbonisation, and regional economic development, Matthew shares valuable insights from his extensive experience in assisting businesses in reducing their carbon footprint since the early 2000s. 

    Listen in to discover more about:

    • Decarbonisation in the West Midlands
    • The competitive advantage of decarbonisation for businesses
    • Energy efficiency strategies
    • Grant funding opportunities and support available for businesses
     Podcast host: 

    • Jonathan Howl (Host) - Energy Advisor, Coventry City Council
    Guest speaker:

    •  Matthew Rhodes, Director of Camirus.
    Podcast producer: 
    • Maria Covlea, Marketing and Events Lead, Coventry City Council
    Useful links:

    • Register for an energy audit
    • Register for our next webinar
    • Learn more about the DNZ Programme
    • Become a member of the Green Business Network (Free membership) 
    • Podcast feedback form
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    26 mins
  • 13: How can the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme help my business?

    13: How can the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme help my business?
    Nov 3 2023
    In this episode we discuss how the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme can help businesses lower their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills. 

    The Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme* aims to provide information and expert advice and support to businesses enabling them to make significant decarbonization and money saving changes to their business. This Programme is part of the wider West Midlands Business Support activity funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

    *Area covered: Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, and the Black Country

    Guest speakers:
     
    • Jonathan Howl (Host) - Energy Advisor, Coventry City Council
    • Martin Grant - DNZ Programme Manager, Aston Univeristy
    • Steve Stones - Energy Advisor, Pro Enviro
    • Sara Ballinger - Energy Advisor, Coventry City Council

    Useful links:

    • Register for an energy audit
    • Register for our next webinar
    • Learn more about the DNZ Programme
    • Become a member of the Green Business Network (Free membership) 
    • Podcast feedback form
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • 12: Circular economy: What are benefits for businesses

    12: Circular economy: What are benefits for businesses
    Jun 29 2023
    In the first part of this episode we speak to Waco Yokoyama, Consultant and Circular Economy Specialist at Gemserv. Waco provides a concise explanation of the circular economy and highlights the main benefits for businesses, including cost reduction, increased sales, and decreased reliance on specific raw materials. She also discusses how the circular economy principles can be applied differently across sectors and emphasises the barriers to implementation and potential solutions.

    In the second part we speak to Bret Willers, Head of Climate Change & Sustainability at Coventry City Council who shares insights on Coventry’s draft Climate Change Strategy that incorporates circular economy principles for Coventry residents and businesses.

    Speakers:
    • Waco Yokoyama - Consultant and Circular Economy Specialist at Gemserv
    • Bret Willers - Head of Climate Change at Coventry City Council
    Host: Jonathan Howl, Green Business Programme Business Advisor

    Producer: Maria Covlea, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator

    Useful links:
    • Waco Yokoyama | LinkedIn
    • Gemserv | Expert Professional Services Company, Energy & Cyber.
    • Green Business Network
    • Coventry's Climate Change Strategy
    • Podcast feedback form
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    36 mins
  • 11: Net Zero for businesses: How to cut emissions, costs, and stay ahead of the curve?

    11: Net Zero for businesses: How to cut emissions, costs, and stay ahead of the curve?
    May 3 2023
    In this episode of the Green Business Podcast, Jonathan Howl interviews Adam Bastock, the Founder of Small99, a platform that guides small businesses to net zero through practical tips. 

    The following topics are covered in this episode:

    • The importance of net zero and the benefits for businesses who embark on the journey
    • Where businesses should start, taking into account their type, size, and sector.
    • The role of employees in achieving net zero and the best approach to take (top-down or bottom-up) 
    • Tools available to measure a business's carbon footprint 
    • The impact of a lack of resources
    • The largest cost savings and benefits achieved by businesses on their net zero journey
    • Policy and incentives that could assist businesses and changes that should be made to support change
    • Accreditation options available for businesses to demonstrate achievements
    • Advice on procurement and selecting the right partners for carbon reduction projects.
    Host: Jonathan Howl, Green Business Programme Business Advisor 

    Guest: Adam Bastock, Founder of Small99

    Producer: Maria Covlea, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator

    Useful links:
    • Green Business Programme (Coventry City Council)
    • Small99 
    • Sign-up to our next event on 10 May 
    • The journey to Net Zero for SMEs
    • Steps to energy saving: tools for SMEs
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    46 mins
  • 10: Carbon Accounting for Businesses

    10: Carbon Accounting for Businesses
    Mar 27 2023
    In this episode, we discuss what carbon accounting is, how businesses can start their net zero journey and overcome the challenges they might face along the way.

    In the first part of this episode we talk to Lara Longhurst who is the Chief Operations Officer at Hippo Digital. Lara shares with us their journey towards achieving net zero and talks about the support they have received from Coventry University through their Carbon Accounting Programme. 

    In the second part, we talk to Prof. Carl Perrin, Director of the Centre for Clean Growth and Future Mobility, and Dr Lorena C. Moreira, Engineer and Senior Researcher at the Centre for Manufacturing and Materials, Coventry University .

    Prof. Perrin and Dr Moreira explain what Carbon Accounting is and how businesses can take advantage of the programme they offer.

    Guests:

    • Lara Longhurst - Chief Operations Officer at Hippo Digital
    • Prof. Carl Perrin - Director of the Centre for Clean Growth and Future Mobility
    • Dr Lorena Caires Moreira – Engineer and Senior Researcher at Coventry University’ Centre for Manufacturing and Materials 
    Host and Producer: Maria Covlea

    Email for further contact and enquiry about CU support: Dr Lorena Moreira ad3722@coventry.ac.uk

    Useful links:

    • Hippo digital 
    • Hippo digital - Carbon reduction plan
    • Green Business Programme (Coventry City Council)
    • The journey to Net Zero for SMEs
    • Steps to energy saving: tools for SMEs
    • Coventry University - The Centre for Manufacturing and Materials 
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    30 mins