Our Roadmap to 2030
21 Dec 2011
Green game-changers: Insights for mainstreaming business innovation
This review follows on from last year's Green Game-Changers report, which looked at small-scale sustainability innovators. The potential of these small players inspired this year's review of the progress that large firms have made to adopt scale up innovations. Within this remit we have honed in on those that have gone beyond product and process optimization and have innovated their business models towards sustainability.
External Reports
20 Dec 2011
Earnings, jobs and innovation: the role of recycling in a green economy
This report aims to examine the economic benefits of recycling by considering the recycling industry in the context of building a 'green economy'.
External Reports
5 Dec 2011
Green Business Club Good Practice Guide
Date of the report December 2011 Authors Sustainability West Midlands Purpose of the report This guide developed by Sustainability West…
Our Reports & Guides
4 Dec 2011
Business briefings: Adapting to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events
The purpose of these business briefings is to provide businesses in these parts of the West Midlands with a more focused briefing on the most relevant climate impacts where they are based and to see examples of what other businesses in their area are doing to be more prepared.
Our Reports & Guides
28 Nov 2011
Going Green: How local authorities can encourage the take-up of lower-carbon vehicles
Local authorities have opportunities through their planning, traffic management and transport powers to influence, or 'nudge', the use of (U)LCVs in their respective areas. The RAC Foundation sought explore what these powers are, the level of appetite among local authorities for using them, and what experience of their use had been gained so far, both in the UK and continental Europe.
External Reports
24 Nov 2011
Pricing the Priceless: the business case for action on biodiversity
This report focuses on business and biodiversity, promoting the incorporation of the value of nature into decision making in order to safeguard long-term economic growth.
External Reports
1 Nov 2011
Skills for a green economy – A report on the evidence
This project results from recommendations made in the skills strategy for England, Skills for Sustainable Growth. The work was undertaken with the aims of identifying the skills needed to support the transition to a strong and sustainable green economy; and assessing evidence of employer demand and potential responses from the skills system which will lead to these skills being delivered. The overarching purpose for this report is to assist businesses and the agencies which support them in the clear articulation of skills needs related to the green economy: a role for the government repeatedly identified from consultation with industry.
External Reports
14 Oct 2011
Weathering the Storm – saving and making money in a changing climate
Sustainability West Midlands and the Environment Agency with support from the members of the former West Midlands Climate change adaptation partnership including; Defra, UKCIP, Government Office West Midlands, Business Link and Advantage West Midlands.
Our Reports & Guides
1 Oct 2011
Is localism delivering for climate change?
This report explores whether local authorities are continuing to work on climate change, how action is being encouraged and what potential local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), local nature partnerships (LNPs) and neighbourhood planning offer for strengthening local action on climate change.
External Reports
24 Sep 2011
Green and Growth: solutions for growing a green economy
The aim of this report is to set out short- and long-term proposals for growing a green economy. The report highlights that many manufacturing companies see opportunities in a low carbon economy, details objectives for growing a green economy, looks at the barriers to realising this and makes some short-and long-term recommendations that are intended to help to overcome the barriers.
External Reports
22 Aug 2011
Adapting for a Green Economy: Companies, communities and climate change
The aim of this report is to support the efforts leading up to Rio+20 (UN Conference on Sustainable Development) as well as the activities partnerships and commitments that flow from the conference. The report aims to provide useful guidance to business leaders and policymakers and answers important questions surrounding the role of business in adaptation. For example, 'What are the barriers that may prevent effective business engagement in adaptation?'.
External Reports
6 Jul 2011
Woodland for Water: Woodland measures for meeting Water Framework Directive objectives
To present evidence which will help promote effective woodland planning and be part of the solution to achieving good water status. It is timely, as it follows on from the establishment of the Woodland Carbon Task Force which aims to realise Government's desire for increased woodland planting in England to help meet greenhouse gas emissions reduction commitments. Similarly, in Wales, the recently announced Glastir scheme provides additional incentive for woodland creation.
External Reports
12 May 2011
West Midlands Roadmap to a Sustainable Future in 2020
To provide a one page summary bringing together our work on the challenges faced by the West Midlands, our report 'West Midlands Sustainability Priorities to deliver the Low Carbon Vision 2020' and our vision document, 'A low carbon vision for the West Midlands in 2020'.
Our Reports & Guides
2 Mar 2011
Identifying the Opportunities for Adaptation in the Built Environment
The objective of this report was to identify the construction sectors which would benefit most from extending the findings of two WMCCE Climate Change in School Building reports and to identify and engage the key stakeholders to implement and influence the inclusion of climate change adaptation best practice through their development programmes and in the WMCCE Demonstration Project Programme.
External Reports
14 Feb 2011
Low Carbon Economy for the West Midlands – local authority profiles
The purpose of this report was to provide a summary analysis of the opportunities presented by the transition to a low carbon economy for each of the Tier 1 local authority geographical areas in the West Midlands, and the risks presented by rising fuel prices and carbon legislation, based on the current industrial profile of each area.
External Reports
7 Feb 2011
West Midlands Sustainability Priorities to deliver the Low Carbon Vision 2020
This report sets the priorities to achieve our vision for a sustainable West Midlands. We will continue to use these priorities in shaping our sustainability policy advice to leaders in the West Midlands, cross-sector events with our members to develop solutions, and sharing good practice.
Our Reports & Guides
1 Feb 2011
Making Sustainable Lives Easier: A Priority for Governments, Business and Society
This report sets out what is needed, from governments and others, to help enable us all to live sustainable lives in our homes and communities. The report finds that government initiatives to help people live more sustainably lack ambition and direction, and are too timid given the scale and urgency of the challenge. Although increasing numbers of people try to 'do the right thing', we are still a long way from living sustainably; and those who do make an effort often find themselves swimming against the tide of society's norms.
External Reports
24 Dec 2010
Successful Business and Procurement
This report aims to provide an improved understanding of successful businesses and their approaches to procurement and the relevance of these to current debates on sustainable public procurement.
External Reports
25 Oct 2010
Benefits of green infrastructure: Report to Defra and CLG
Date of the report October 2010 Author of the report Forestry Commission Purpose of the report Today’s urban policy must…
External Reports
11 Jul 2010
West Midlands Environmental Priorities Review
At the beginning of April 2010 the West Midlands Leaders Board (WMLB) and Advantage West Midlands (AWM), as the then regional responsible authorities, commissioned WYG Environment to provide a critical assessment of key environmental topics set out in the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS) and West Midlands Regional Economic Strategy (RES).
External Reports
11 Jul 2010
Making Sense of Going Green – Small Businesses and the Low Carbon Economy
Whilst the twin threats of climate change and increasing energy prices bring challenges for our economy they also bring opportunities that can allow our 4.8 million small businesses to contribute to a greener economy, enjoy lower energy costs and benefit from new opportunities in a low carbon economy.
External Reports
31 Mar 2010
Roadmap 2020: Sustainable Development Priorities for the West Midlands Workshop
This presentation was given by Dr Simon Slater, SWM and Stephen Owen, URSUS and SWM on 30 March as part of the Roadmap for a sustainable region in 2020 project.
Our Events & Presentations
6 Mar 2010
Health Effects of Climate Change in the West Midlands
This project was funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the Regional Climate Change Partnerships (RCCP) programme.
External Reports
20 Dec 2009
State of the natural environment in the West Midlands
The aim of this report is to highlight the state of the natural environment in the West Midlands, which provides an essential regional asset and foundation for our economic and social well- being.
External Reports