Welcome to the SWM Newsletter - January 2017

Our Comment

Water competition - an opportunity for efficiency?

You may be expecting an analysis of Trump’s recent activity and the consequences of this on sustainability and the environment. We’re going to report on this in next month’s newsletter once the implications are better understood.

This month we want to focus on the water competition which will be open to non-household customers from April 2017 meaning that you can choose the company that provides your retail water, rather than being restricted to buying from your regional water company. Worryingly, a recent survey from Ofwat suggests that more than two thirds of organisations are oblivious to the coming changes.

We hope that competition will encourage you to:

• Look closely at water consumption and address wasted water
• Make sure meters are accurate and use readings to help drive efficiency
• Carry out bill validation to ensure you’re on the correct tariffs
• Consider impacts of extreme weather associated with climate change, and how this may affect you (e.g. drought and water shortages)

Water is often much less ‘visible’ to organisations that other utilities such as gas and electricity. However, we'd encourage you to 'get your house in order', putting you in the best possible position when negotiating with potential retail suppliers.

Read our comment for full details of the water competition and the support available.

Anna Bright, Chief Executive, Sustainability West Midlands

The rest of this newsletter is packed full of our events, resources and funding – get involved.

SWM news, events, networks and projects

• Welcome. We welcome Greenwatt Technology as members of SWM. Based in Warwickshire, Greenwatt provide independent advice on renewable energy technologies, bio-energy, low carbon transport, energy reduction, and waste and resource management.
• Energy. If you’re a SME in the Black County, Birmingham or Solihull you may be eligible for a free (yes, free!) energy audit and funding towards energy efficient lighting, heating and other equipment. Contact SWM who are delivering the Low Carbon Growth Support Project, in partnership with Groundwork West Midlands.
• Innovation. The next Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting that we convene on behalf of Birmingham Science City takes place on Wednesday 1 March at the site of the exciting new National Low Carbon Centre, Stoneleigh Park. There is a site tour and speakers include Aston University and the Advanced Propulsion Centre. 
• Carbon Management. We’re running an event on Public Sector Carbon Management and Reduction on Thursday 2 March hosted by our members Coventry City Council and supported by Salix Finance, Engie and EAUC. If you’re from the public sector you can register here and there are sponsorship opportunities for other sectors to get involved.
• Waste minimisation. We’re working with Warp It to increase the number of organisations using their excellent online tool to minimise waste and increase reuse of office furniture and equipment. Our partnership could result in savings of 40% off the cost of Warp It. We’ll be running a workshop soon to provide full information or  contact us for more information.
• Environment. The latest Environmental Legislation Update is now available, including information about green business support around the region, and changes in Climate Change Levy rates.
• Awards. We’ve had some excellent entries for the SWM Green Leaders Awards. The winners will be announced on Friday 17 February at the awards lunch following the MEBC Mobility 2015 workshop.

For more information on how to become a SWM member or get involved in our projects see work with us on our website, or contact us.

Other West Midlands news and resources

• Funding. The latest GBSLEP area calls for project applications under Priority Axes 1 (research & innovation), 4 (low carbon) and 6 (environmental & resource efficiency) opened in December with the closing date of the 17 February.
• Funding. Small businesses in Worcestershire, Herefordshire or Telford & Wrekin can register with the Business Energy Efficiency Programme to tackle energy costs and improve environmental performance. 
• Funding. The Horizon 2020 programme provides funding for a range of business projects in areas from food security to smart cities and green vehicles - deadline 17 February.
• Funding. Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) will release its fifth call for projects on 18 April. The programme themes are innovation, low carbon, and resource & materials efficiency and the UK information day is on 9 March in Manchester.
• Efficiency. The Carbon Trust’s START2ACT programme offers free energy efficiency training and mentoring for start-ups and young SMEs by offering breakfast events, on-site energy efficiency training and energy efficiency mentoring.
• Climate. The six key climate change challenges and opportunities facing the UK economy, environment and public health have been laid out in the government’s latest Climate Change Risk Assessment, published 18 January 2017.
• Cities. The Centre for Cities have published their annual report, Cities Outlook 2017. This is a useful resource looking at the UK’s exports and performance of the 63 largest cities and towns across the country.

A full list of news, funding and resources is available on the news page of our website and for more national news, check out the website of our colleagues at Climate UK.

Other dates for your diary

• Energy. The Energy Capital Launch takes place on 15 February in Birmingham where a new vision for energy in the West Midlands will be announced. Energy Capital will unite stakeholders in energy technologies and systems, and locate the region as the UK’s focal point for future energy innovation and investment.
• Environment. Meres & Mosses Business Environment Network will be giving guidance on how to promote environmental image and credentials at their event on 15 February in Shropshire.
• Legislation. sben are holding a workshop on 16 February in Stafford to update and refresh your knowledge on environmental and H&S legislation, including a talk from Simon Slater on dealing with uncertainties.
• Climate. An event on shaping perceptions of climate change takes place at the University of Birmingham on 13 March. Anna Bright will be presenting about making sustainable behaviour changes to save land and water.
• Energy. SWM member Climate Change Solutions are hosting the 13th International Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Conference on 14 March in Birmingham. An International Brokerage Event will run alongside the conference aimed at Midlands and International companies looking for partners/customers/clients in this sector.
• Flood & Coast. The Environment Agency are providing a three day Flood & Coast 2017 event in Telford on 28-30 March, including free exhibition and seminars and the option to purchase a conference pass and gala dinner tickets.

A full list of our members and partners’ events are available on the events page of our website.

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter. If you would like to subscribe to our newsletter or are interested in becoming a SWM member or have news stories, events, case studies and reports, please visit our website or contact us.