More than 1,000 Bristol firms have signed up to Go Green, the scheme helping businesses improve and demonstrate their green credentials, since its launch six months ago.
Launched in February as part of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, Go Green is helping the city lead the way in sustainable practice by enabling firms to explore new ways of working and sharing their experiences with the wider business community. 
The Go Green tool, an online platform for businesses to show their commitment to becoming more sustainable, has had more than 2,000 actions over the six months – half of them showing how businesses are making these improvements.
More than 1,200 delegates from the Bristol business community have also attended Go Green events and workshops, giving them the opportunity to network with other like-minded organisations, learn how to engage staff in green issues and access further support on sustainable best practice.
Go Green has three stages – Say It, Do It and Prove It – which show the different phases companies need to go through to demonstrate they are becoming more sustainable.
This encompasses five areas of their business: Travel & Transport, Happy & Healthy, Sustainable Sourcing, Energy & Efficiency and Planning & Resilience.
Some 20 businesses have already achieved the final Prove It status, which asks organisations to prove the steps it has taken to Go Green. To be eligible, a business must have completed at least one action in each section and demonstrate continuous improvement.
Among the Prove It stage businesses is Bristol-based waste management pioneers Resource Futures. Stuart Woodham, a consultant at the company, said: “It’s a fantastic accolade to add to our credentials and it’s given us the perfect opportunity to actively take a role in Bristol as European Green Capital.”
Another business benefiting from the scheme is Knowle West Media Centre. Staff member Sue Mackinnon said: “I went to the Go Green breakfast on transport and got talking to Sara Sloman at Travel West. She encouraged me to apply for a grant towards an electric bike which we’ve now purchased.
“Staff now use the bike to get to and from meetings. As an organisation we’ve pledged to reduce local car journeys by at least 75 per cent and having the bike will be a big help towards meeting this target. It’s already resulted in a reduction in the number of cars in our car park. And staff who haven’t cycled for years have been encouraged to consider purchasing a bike for themselves through the Bike 2 Work scheme.”
Go Green is a project run in partnership by Business West and Low Carbon South West and originates from the combination of two environmental business programmes, Go Green Bristol and The West of England Carbon Challenge.
Nina Skubula, Initiative Manager at Business West, commented: “Go Green has provided a really simple way for businesses in the West of England to take steps to improve their green credentials, as well as communicate good news stories and share best practice using the Go Green tool.
“The success of the initiative to date is testament to how passionate businesses in the region are about contributing to the success of Bristol’s year as the European Green Capital and we are confident that these commitments will not only be undertaken in 2015, but for many years to come.”
Go Green was developed to allow businesses of all sizes across all sectors, for profit and not-for-profit to share best practice and show leadership in sustainability. The online tool signposts to a wealth of resources and initiatives across the region, as well as event information that can help businesses improve their environmental credentials.
Upcoming events include an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Arcadia to reward Go Green members who have been progressing through their action plan. This is followed by the launch of the autumn season of monthly Go Green Business Breakfasts, kicking off with the theme of Travel & Transport at The Station, Broadmead and followed by a Happy & Healthy theme to coincide with Healthy City Week in October, to be held at Ashton Gate Stadium.
The next Go Green workshop is called ‘Cutting through the ‘greenwash’: how can sustainability add real value to your business?’ on September 10 at Triodos Bank. Visit www.gogreenbusiness.co.uk/events for full details.
For more information on how to get involved in Go Green, contact Amy Nicholass on amy.nicholass@gogreenbusiness.co.uk or 0117 945 8733.
