Journey to Net Zero programme helps more than 100 businesses take their crucial first steps

The fully-funded programme launched in July 2021, and works with SMEs across Greater Manchester who are at an early stage on the path to net zero emissions to develop a clear plan of action to help them get there faster and more efficiently.

The Sustainability and Net Zero service at GC Business Growth Hub has been working with SMEs across Greater Manchester for over 10 years, supporting businesses with the transition towards a vibrant, sustainable and low carbon economy. To date the team has helped SMEs in GM to collectively save over 76,000 tonnes of CO2e per year.

Manchester-based textile supplier Thomas Kneale is one of 107 businesses that have taken advantage of the programme delivered by the Hub, which is part of The Growth Company and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Since starting the programme, Thomas Kneale has been calculating its emission output from a baseline year in 2018 and has achieved a reduction to date of several tonnes per annum. The replacement of an old boiler with a modern, combi model is saving 2.3 tonnes of CO2e per annum alone.

Director Brett Mendell said: “The course was really insightful with lots of information and pointers for us to go and look into, which has been really important for us to be able to take the next steps & accurately measure and judge progress as it is made.

“Beforehand we knew what net zero was but didn’t know how to get there and the course has given us the knowledge and information as to how to start the journey.

“Since the programme we have taken actions to reduce our carbon – like signing up for our first ever 100% renewable electricity tariff – and reviewing all of our activities. We’ve signed up to a carbon calculator and inputted all of our data from 2018 onwards to look at how we are reducing our carbon footprint over time. That’s helping to drive our activities, actions, discussions and decisions.”

The Journey to Net Zero programme is designed to help senior decision makers develop a clear plan of action for net zero. It is made up of online workshops, study material, one-to-one advice and shared learning, building business cases and staff engagement amongst other key areas.

Tech company IDS has also benefitted from taking part in Journey to Net Zero. With offices in Leeds and London, as well as Manchester, the software data consultancy needed support and guidance to help them get started on their journey to net zero.

Donna Moores, Head of Quality and Compliance at IDS, said: “As a business we knew how important it was to start our journey to net zero, particularly with regards to tendering for work with big organisations in the future, who are going to want to know about our carbon footprint. But the scale of the challenge ahead of us was overwhelming and we weren’t sure how to even get started.

She added: “I’ve attended all the seminars as part of Journey to Net Zero and I would definitely recommend it. It’s especially useful getting to know the rest of the people on the course because you can learn so much from each other, particularly when you are coming from different industries and offering fresh perspectives on their challenges – and vice versa. I’ve attended all the seminars and I would definitely recommend it.”

Kevin Lambert, Sustainability and Net Zero Lead at GC Business Growth Hub, said: “It is fantastic to see how businesses like Thomas Kneale and IDS have embraced the support available through Journey to Net Zero. Reaching net zero can be a big challenge, but with support you can build a strategic plan to cut your carbon footprint, reduce costs, minimise risk and make the most of the many opportunities awaiting you in the net zero world.”

To find out more and register your interest in the next cohort of Journey to Net Zero, visit: https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/resource-efficiency/journey-to-net-zero.

Businesses looking to access specialist support can visit www.businessgrowthhub.com for more information about the organisation’s extensive range of services. This and other GC Business Growth Hub projects are part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the GM Business Growth Hub project designed to help ambitious SME businesses achieve growth and increase employment in Greater Manchester. The Hub is also supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester local authorities.