Chambers host first webinar as part of their Sustainable Business Series

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) kick started their Sustainable Business Series: Net Zero campaign last week with their first event aimed at supporting business progress to net zero.

The Sustainable Business Series: Net Zero is the Chamber 's first environmental sustainability campaign which will share best practice, guidance, and knowledge ahead of the COP26 conference hosted in the UK next month.

The first event in the series took place last week and began by outlining what the path to net zero will mean for SMEs.

Speakers at the event included Miranda Barker (pictured), CEO of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the British Chamber Climate Challenge Group, solicitor Leo Parkington and commercial partner Laura Ayre from Pinsent Masons, and Mark Swift head of SME programmes at Warwick Manufacturing Group.

During the event, speakers set out how the Government can empower business and industry to uptake low carbon technology through interventions in policy and the business risks of inaction for SMEs.

Speakers also discussed frameworks for change and best practice examples across the services and manufacturing sectors, touching on emissions management and the waste hierarchy.

It was also discussed how one business was able to save 15 per cent on disposal costs and reduce CO2 emissions 37 per cent through implementing waste reduction measures.

To find out more about what was discussed, watch the full event below

Louise Bennett, CEO of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This Series gives businesses a chance to learn about what net zero means, how can they better understand it, and how businesses can play their role in it.

"At our net zero and SME webinar, we covered pathways to net zero across different sectors, scoped emissions, and lots of ways SMEs can actually reduce carbon emissions within their business. The tools, and checklists included are really useful to businesses on the ground.

"Thank you to our sponsors, panelists and audience for supporting the opening of the Series, we have a range of other free events covering support, best practice and guidance for businesses across energy, circular economy, transport and sustainable business management as well as an in-person Summit in November. ”

The next event in the series will cover 'Progressing to a Net Zero Business through Energy' and will take place on Wednesday 6 October.

To book your place, click here

For more information on further events and content within the Sustainable Business Series: Net Zero, click here