Hampshire businesses learnt first-hand from experts about the steps of going green

Unlocking Hampshire’s Green Potential was a clear indication of the appetite businesses across the county to help combat the climate crisis by going green while saving money.

More than 150 people from across the business community attended the event, sponsored by the EM3 Growth Hub and NatWest.

Organised by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Destination Basingstoke, the event featured a Green Expo, at the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke, where businesses and organisations were able to promote their green services and showcase their credentials.

During the morning, there were five speaker sessions, which included EM3 Growth Hub Associate Chris Fry, who presented “Customising the Net Zero opportunity for your business.”

Chris, who is Managing Director of strategy and sustainability consultancy Accelar, noted that a number of businesses across the EM3 region have already made good steps to reducing carbon emissions and moving towards Net Zero.

During his talk Chris offered some sound advice: “When thinking about Net Zero, consider which topics are of greatest impact for your business and how activity in these areas will influence and support business investment, activity and engagement.

“But remember you don’t need to do everything at once – start with some quick wins and plan to explore other opportunities over time until you’re ready to embed this into your business strategy.”

Chris added: “There are plenty of opportunities for the future and many useful conversations that will set business on the next step of their Net Zero journey.”

Dr Wendy Buckley, from Basingstoke-based Carbon Footprint and chair of the Sustainable Business Network was the headline speaker who shared her Sustainability 101 – Top 10 Things Your Business Needs to Know and Do.

During her presentation she encouraged businesses to use the free online Carbon Footprint Calculator to measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions, which can be found by visiting www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator1.html

Other speakers included Polly Buckland, Managing Director of The Typeface Group and Ken MacIsaac, UK Business Leader at Lavazza Professional, both based in Basingstoke.

Polly was interviewed by Destination Basingstoke’s Mark Jones about the benefits of her B2B communications agency’s journey in achieving BCorp certification in a Q&A session, while Ken spoke about “Increasing the sustainability of your workplace operations, through drinks vending technologies.”

Delegates also befitted from a Green Finance Expert Panel hosted by NatWest’s Elly Rowley, Regional Ecosystem Manager (South West and South Central).

Join Chris Fry in the second of our free Net Zero Opportunity webinars on 13 December. This is one of an exciting programme of in-person and online workshops and webinars on offer from the EM3 Growth Hub. Click here to find out more.