Introduction

A green business standard for Manchester, realising raw material and energy savings.

Objectives and target audience

The Environmental Business Pledge is a unique initiative developed solely for Manchester businesses. The Pledge was launched through Manchester City Council’s 2004 campaign – “Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City”, where over 250 businesses pledged to improve their local environment. Manchester City Council, Groundwork, Mersey Basin Campaign, Encams and the Environment Agency joined forces to deliver the Pledge and offer services to support local business in their quest to improve environmental performance, achieve major cost savings and increase competitiveness.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The programme was developed by Manchester City Council, Groundwork, Environment Agency, Encams and the Mersey Basin Campaign, with Manchester City Council and Groundwork being the lead delivery partners. The programme has grown to include over 1300 Manchester businesses and is funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, with average running costs of £80,000 per annum. This has realised nearly £500’000 in cost savings to businesses through environmental improvements and £5.8 million worth of increased sales.

Process

The Environmental Business Pledge is a free scheme, which works in partnership with local businesses to identify and implement changes that reduce their environmental impact and improve their business’s efficiency.  This is done through on-site consultations, which provide information and sign posting to other environmentally focused business-support organisations, such as the Carbon Trust and Envirowise.  The scheme encourages and supports businesses to work through Bronze, Silver and Gold award criteria, thereby improving their environmental performance and demonstrating their environmental credentials.  Once awards have been achieved, regular contact with the businesses is maintained in order to track progress improvements and capture the details of improvements with the hope of monitoring and improving the success of the scheme.

Results

(February 2004 – December 2007):
Business signed up to the scheme:  1313
Business achieving Bronze award: 427
Business achieving Silver award: 59
Business achieving Gold award: 42
These businesses, in the process of achieving the awards, have achieved the following benefits to their business and the environment:
Tonnes of CO2 saved         = 2042 tonnes
Tonnes of materials saved = 1381tonnes
Water saved                       = 51441m3
Cost savings made            = £447,000
by businesses
Sales safeguarded             = £13.26 million
Sales increased                  = £5.8 million
Jobs created                       = 28
Jobs safeguarded               = 71

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The success of the scheme is largely a result of the high level of relevance to all businesses, regardless of sector or size. A comprehensive marketing strategy, coupled with the quality and range of advice offered to businesses has led driven this success. The independent auditing process has enabled benefits to be captured, helping ensure momentum and growth of the scheme. As increasing number of businesses are engaged, staff resources have had to be reviewed to ensure the maintenance of the excellent level of support the businesses have come to expect.
The scheme could easily be transferred and introduced into other municipalities, as the resource packs available for each award level contain information that applies to organisations throughout the country (some adaptation may need to be made regarding applicable legislation if being used outside of England, but the criteria for the awards can be addressed by any organisation regardless of location).