Celebrating climate action in Redcliffe and Temple

In this blog, Bex Shreeve, Climate Action Programme Engagement Officer, celebrates the climate and nature action happening across the businesses she has connected with as part of our collaboration with the Redcliffe & Temple Business Improvement District.

I have the pleasure of working with a range of businesses across Redcliffe and Temple that are actively working to reduce emissions and their impact on the environment and feel lucky to have direct access to so much good news, particularly when mainstream media is usually filled with climate doom and gloom.

The businesses featured in this blog vary in shape and size, but they all have an unwavering commitment and determination to do better for people and the planet.

Architecture

AHMM – Sharing expertise to drive sector-wide change

As founder signatories and steering group members of Architects Declare, AHMM is leading the way in the built environment industry. The firm has joined the growing number of organisations committed to Science Based Targets and has been actively supporting businesses across their sector to design and build sustainably. In 2022, the team released an open-source Delivering Net Zero in Use guide and is now preparing to launch their Net Zero in Use toolkit, so watch this space!

Inspired? Our next Intention to Action Clinic on November 22nd will help property owners learn how to decarbonise their commercial buildings and tackle challenges they’re facing together. Register your interest before 12pm on Monday 6 November.

Energy

Ovo Energy – Climate and nature action go hand in hand

In 2019, Ovo unveiled Plan Zero, and with it the company’s Net Zero 2035 target. By 2021, the company had reduced emissions by 16% (compared to its 2018 baseline) and will release its 2022 climate impact report this month. Ovo is also committed to supporting nature, and through its partnership with The Woodland Trust and Conservation Volunteers, has planted 4 million trees, and will plant 1million per year for the foreseeable future.

Inspired? Find out how your business can support and influence nature recovery in the West of England at our business workshop with The West of England Combined Authority at 2pm on Tuesday 31 October. Book your free place.

Food and drink

Left Handed Giant – Independent business gets cracking in no time

One of Bristol’s much-loved breweries set an ambitious 2024 carbon-neutral target last year, and since then the whole team has been working together to deliver a raft of changes. You will see evidence everywhere you look, from a new array of solar panels on the roof of the St. Philip’s tap room, LED, and Passive Infrared Lighting across both sites, to biodegradable beer can labels, and there’s more happening behind the scenes. Check out their website to find out more.

Inspired? One of the best ways to get started on your climate journey is by getting to grips with your business’ carbon footprint. Come along to our Climate Action Breakfast on 10 October with Mott MacDonald to find out how you can collect and manage your workplace emissions.

Small Goods and Baristas Coffee – Join the Refill movement

In June this year, City to Sea launched The Refill Return Cup scheme to eliminate single-use coffee cups. The innovative project, which was launched in collaboration with Ecosurety, enables customers to “borrow” a reusable takeaway cup from one coffee shop and then return it to another. In Redcliffe and Temple, Small Goods and Baristas coffee have joined the scheme, which has so far prevented 2,500 cups from ending up in landfill.

Inspired? To get involved with The Refill Return Cup scheme as a customer, download the Refill app or if your business is keen to participate, get in touch with George Clark at City to Sea (cups@citytosea.org.uk)

Legal

Osborne Clarke – Inspiring climate and nature leadership

Osborne Clarke’s Bristol team recently moved to Halo in Finzels Reach, one of the most sustainable office buildings in the UK. Decarbonisation is a key theme underpinning client service, and the firm is committed to both near and long-term Science Based targets for its transition to net zero emissions. In September the office hosted an Autumn Biodiversity Fair to bring businesses together with practitioners to understand and take action for nature recovery.

Inspired? You can find out more about nature based solutions for your business in this Spotlight On article with West of England Nature Partnership Manager, Stuart Gardner.

Womble Bond Dickinson – Climate leader in Bristol and beyond

International law firm, Womble Bond Dickinson, has been leading the way on climate action since 2017, and is one of the founding members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance. With collaboration at the core of the firm’s climate strategy, they have already reduced their carbon footprint by a whopping 54% since 2017, and won several awards in the process, including accolades from EcoVadis, Planet Mark and the Law Society.

Inspired? Womble Bond Dickinson recently joined our Climate Leaders Group, and you can find out more about the great work our Climate Leaders are doing by checking out our latest case studies.

Got some good news to share?

We’re keen to showcase climate progress in the city and create more opportunities for businesses to learn from one another.

If you have an initiative or project we can shout about, please do get in touch (bex@bristolgreencapital.org)