Solent LEP launches free Sustainability support for businesses

The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership has launched a Sustainable Business Support Programme to help companies on their sustainability journey. 

The LEP-funded initiative is designed to help businesses reduce their environmental impact at the same time as saving money.

An expert sustainability advisor, Lymington-based True Horizon, will work with businesses in the Solent area to provide free, one-to-one tailored support and look at a range of ways to help each individual business meet its environmental ambitions. 

SJ Hunt, deputy chair of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and chair of the Solent LEP's Business Task Force says: “The topic of climate change, and what we can all do to make a difference is an increasingly important one. We know that many businesses want to make changes to benefit the environment and this is an ideal opportunity for them to find out how to make a start, become more efficient, and reduce their overall costs. The Sustainable Business Support Programme will assist local businesses in incorporating sustainability into their strategy, engaging with their workforce, supply chains and customers, to make it work.

"At the Solent LEP, we are committed to supporting pioneering approaches to climate change adaptation and decarbonisation. This initiative offers advice on how businesses can combine compliance issues with energy-efficient measures that conserve resources – helping them gain a competitive advantage, be better prepared to manage business risks, enhance access to capital and affordable insurance, and grow their business and their reputation."

Nancy Hyne, Environmental Advisor and Founder of True Horizon said each participating firm would receive "tailored support".

She said: "For businesses signing up for the Solent LEP's Sustainable Business Support Programme, the individual support will highlight opportunities that come with improved sustainability credentials from reputational benefits to cost savings. As part of the programme, each business will receive tailored support and an action plan with practical guidance and recommendations to help you implement changes and achieve your sustainability goals."

To take part, businesses must be based in, or operating from the Solent area, have between one and 250 employees, and be committed to lowering their carbon emissions.