SWM Newsletter December 2020: Reflections on our Annual Conference

SWM News December 2020: Reflections on our Annual Conference

Our Annual Conference took place earlier this month. It provided an opportunity to discuss the green recovery and what this means for the West Midlands and was very timely given the recently announced Energy White Paper and Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution from the Government. It also gave us an opportunity to showcase our members achievements and successes of 2020 despite challenging circumstances. We heard from AceOn regarding their renewable power plant ‘Renewergy’, from the City of Wolverhampton on their Tree and Woodland Strategy, and National Express WM on their move to a fully electric fleet. These inspirational case studies were perhaps something that was needed more than ever this year as those achievements mean that little bit more in such challenging times.

Having only worked at Sustainability West Midlands for three months as part of my placement at Coventry University, this was my first SWM Annual Conference… or in fact any conference of this size! Not only did it show me the logistics and organisation required to plan a large flagship event online, but it also showed me how great it can be to have so many people from different organisations working together in one virtual room. With 75 cross-sector delegates it was essential that the event ran smoothly.

The breakout rooms were a personal highlight of mine, aimed to shape discussions on our Sustainability Roadmap to 2030 and to question how we use learning from 2020 to the advantage of regional sustainability. After taking part in the Social Equity and Health session, it became clear that staying on track for a green and inclusive recovery is more important than ever. As the discussion proved, there is a risk that perhaps we will not build back better. The growing desire of people wanting a sense of normality may lead to communities and economies returning to how they were before the pandemic.

Our work with regional stakeholders is a critical part of the region’s green recovery. We’re working with the Midlands Energy Hub to determine the low carbon jobs and skills of the future, we’re supporting the WMCA to develop a new pledge allowing businesses of all sizes and sectors to commit to making a change, and we continue to support low carbon innovation through our work with the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands and the West Midlands Innovation Programme. If you’d like to work more closely with SWM, please get in touch.

The conference left me feeling positive for the future. It was very encouraging to see so many different organisations with so much knowledge in their field, committed to making the West Midlands a more sustainable, greener and fairer region for all.

Amy Bostock, Volunteer Communications Officer, on behalf of the SWM Team

Funding Opportunities

By 13 January 2021. SBRI has launched a competition whereby organisations can apply for a share of £3 million to remove harmful pollutants from homes.

By 13 January 2021. UK registered SMEs that are transforming food production towards net zero can apply for a share of up to £5 million in grant support from the ISCF.

By 20 January 2021. Businesses specialising in smart and sustainable plastic packaging can apply for a share of up to £2 million from the ISCF as part of the SSPP challenge.

By 29 January 2021. Staffordshire not-for profit organisations can apply for £1,000 through the Community Climate Action Fund to reduce the county's contributions to climate change.

By 5 February 2021. BEIS are looking for potential suppliers for the GGR Technologies Innovation Competition for £75-£250k aiming to develop greenhouse gas removal technologies.

By 30 June 2021. The Worcestershire Natural Networks project aims to boost biodiversity in an ERDF-funded venture which includes our members Worcestershire County Council.

By 31 December 2021. Businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can benefit from free energy audits and 60% grant funding towards energy efficiency measures.

By 31 December 2021. Marches Renewable Energy Grant Scheme allows eligible applicants to apply for a 50% grant for the installation of renewable technologies.

By 31 December 2022. GBSLEP Habitats Grants Programme is focused on reducing dereliction and the improvement and development of natural habitats.

By June 2023. Coventry City Council has extended a further £8.1 million of funding to support small and medium-sized business in Coventry and Warwickshire.

By 2025. The Severn Trent Community Fund is open for applications to support community groups making a difference and to help with the recovery from Covid-19.

Monthly. Monthly themed funding is available for Birmingham based projects that aim to deliver positive change.

On-going. Applications are open for four ‘green social prescribing’ pilots as part of a £4.27 million project to improve mental health and wellbeing in communities hardest hit by coronavirus.

On-going. A recycling Fund for Communities is now available from Veolia. It is worth up £50,000 in total and is offering grants of £2,000.

On-going. £12 million is available under the Green Recovery Challenge Fund as part of flagship UK PACT programme, with target countries in Asia, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

On-going. The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is a £10 million programme which supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects.

On-going. The Community and Environment Fund is there to provide benefits to communities along the route disrupted by the construction of HS2.

Over the past year, we have promoted approximately £1bn of accessible funding.

Upcoming SWM and Member Events

CREST@UCS is launching the PLASTICS netWORK on 20 January, a new exciting forum for businesses across the plastics supply chain to communicate, meet and learn.

Venturefest West Midlands is taking place on 28 January to provide businesses a chance to exchange ideas for collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies.

SWM is participating at the sbef 2021 Forum, taking place The Belfry, Wishaw on 18-19 March 2021, where experts in sustainability talk about their plans and developments for the future.

Climate Change Solutions has revised the date for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells ‘The Time is NOW’ conference to 18 May with programme details released closer to the time.

A full list of upcoming events is available here as well as our full member list here.

Other SWM and Member Updates

SWM hosted its Annual Conference on 3 December which discussed the green recovery and showcased successes from AceOn, City of Wolverhampton Council and National Express.

SWM, in partnership with the Innovation Alliance WM, convened the latest Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting on Tuesday with speakers from GBSLEP and Severn Trent.

EBRI at Aston University are recruiting a Business Engagement Officer to support their European Regional Development Fund project until June 2022. Apply by 3 January 2021.

EnTRESS at University of Wolverhampton are recruiting a Project Administrator to provide professional administrative services and financial process support. Apply by 6 January.

Groundwork has recently launched their new Sustainable Business Consultants website which can provide expert sustainability advice to businesses and local authorities across the UK.

Willmott Dixon and Citizen housing were some of the winners at this years Construction Excellence Awards for the West Midlands. Congratulations to them and the highly commended!

WMCA has opened a free hotline for those struggling to keep their homes warm this winter. This free advice can be found at 0808 196 8298.

WMCA has announced the new West Midlands cycle hire scheme coming in Spring 2021. It will begin with a pilot in Sutton Coldfield and include 1,500 bikes, 150 of which are ebikes.

Voi has announced its City Innovation Fund, which will commit $3m to advance safe, inclusive, sustainable micro-mobility.

SWM members can send their events, research or other contributions to enquiries@swm.org.uk to be included in the next newsletter. Not a member? There are many advantages to SWM membership; find out more here.

Other News and Events

Birmingham 2022 is recruiting for their Head of Sustainability position to lead and manage the Organising Committee's sustainability programme. Apply by 7 January.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 'Making the Switch to Electric Vehicles' webinar as part of their Virtual Sustainability Forum on 14 January.

Smart Home Connected & Assisted Living 2021 is planning to take place at the NEC from the 9-10 March 2021 which will include panel debates, seminars and much more.

The Local Government Association is running its Climate Emergency Leadership Essentials workshop on 28-29 January to explore current climate change issues.

Naturally Birmingham Project is looking to help business and organisations fulfil their social value green commitments through activities within Birmingham’s Parks and green spaces.

Peer Networks is a new, free government initiative to help you solve the challenges your SME may be facing. it is delivered through a series of high impact, confidential group sessions.

The Government has published the energy white paper setting out how the UK will clean up its energy system and reach net zero emissions by 2050.

For a full list of all our upcoming events, visit our events page here. For news items, visit our news page here.