UWE Bristol: Supporting SMEs Across the West of England to Reach Net Zero

With 40,000 students and 3,500 staff, we are conscious of the impact we can have as one of the region’s significant organisations both in terms of taking steps towards greater sustainability and carbon reduction. In parallel, we are aware of the responsibility this entails, and the urgency required to take action now. We have a clear target of Net Zero by 2030 and six major working commitments to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.

Across all of our undergraduate, postgraduate and professional development programmes there are some really innovative courses underpinned by sustainability, delivering crucial skills to the region’s businesses and workforce.

However, just focusing on our own emissions isn’t enough to realise the region’s ambitions of Net Zero by 2030, especially in such a challenging financial climate for everyone.

This is why we are working with West of England Combined Authority (WECA), with funding from the European Social Fund, to deliver free sustainability training and support to SMEs across the West of England, building on our record of delivery for SMEs on skills, talent and innovation.

The programme is Skills For Clean Growth and is part of the wider Workforce for the Future WECA lead package of support for the region’s SMEs.

What support is available through Skills for Clean Growth?

As we’ve developed our training programme, we’ve tried to compliment the brilliant work of the region’s existing support network.

• Workshops & training – short practical sessions delivered by experts from academia and industry.
• 1:1 support – helping address specific challenges, to identify areas of focus, and to target engagement through the wider programme.
• Case studies, guides and toolkits – including bespoke resources developed in house as well as where to find the best freely available information online.

Some feedback from local businesses already engaged in the programme:
• “I loved the energy from both presenters, and found the whole thing supportive, well organised and inspiring – thank you”
Nina Midgley-De Jong, Account Director, Nomensa
• “I didn’t know what to expect but have come away feeling really positive about using the information to begin assessing our carbon footprint. Before the workshop, I had no idea where to start.”
Sam Hawker, Managing Director, AbleCare

How to register: Contact the team online here or cleangrowth@uwe.ac.uk

Upcoming events:

Sustainability Marketing & Comms
17th May 2023, 09:30 – 12:30, Future Leap, Glos Road
• Helping you to authentically articulate your sustainability journey with customers and stakeholders.
Find out more

Carbon Measurement
7th June 2023, 0900-1200, Future Leap, Glos Road
• How to approach, measure and reduce Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions.
Find out more

Coming April-June 2023…

• Sustainability in Marketing & Comms, Scope 3 Measurement, Digital Emissions, Scope 1 & 2 Measurement and Reduction, Sustainability in the Food and Drink sector.
• Webinars and classroom content designed to bring staff across your business up to speed with sustainability including key terms, challenges and the regional support.

Register here to be emailed about future dates