The Thames Valley is one of the most successful regions of the UK and includes some of the worlds most famous global brands, as well as sector specialists, high growth SMEs and University spin-outs.
They all have rapidly changing perspectives on how to do business and are innovators and industry leading.
The Thames Valley Sustainability Working Group (SWG)
The SWG is a business led roundtable, with appetite and ambition from the regions business community to collectively take action to leave tomorrows world in better health. The emphasis is on business collaboration within the region – collectively, more can be achieved in the ‘race to zero’.
The SWG and subsequent Steering Groups, have met to prioritise actions and develop consensus on a framework from which to share best practice, experience and expertise.
The Chamber’s Sustainability Working Group has launched ‘Talking Thames Valley – Sustainability’, aimed at raising awareness and engaging the community in meaningful discussions about pressing sustainability issues in the region.
Our first in the series of ‘Talking Thames Valley – Sustainability’ was hosted by Louise Hughes, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Ericsson, and featured Guest Speaker, David Simon, Professor of Development Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London.
The topic was Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), discussing the relevance to the Thames Valley Region and how the business community can adapt them into their everyday practice.
The second zoom call in the Chamber’s Sustainability Working Groups initiative focused on ‘Geopolitics and Sustainability’. Hosted by Jo Jackson, Director (Thames Valley) at SEGRO, we spoke to Klaus Dodds, Executive Dean, School of Life Sciences and Professor of Geopolitics.
Together they discuss the intersectionality of sustainability and the geopolitical landscape, including its impact on decision-making processes.
The third zoom call in the Chamber’s Sustainability Working Groups initiative focused on ‘Leadership in Sustainability’. Hosted by Amerjit Dhillon, Environmental and Sustainability Manager at Karl Storz, we spoke to Louise Hughes, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, Ericsson.
The conversation emphasised big businesses involvement in pioneering sustainability and supporting SME’s through partnership and collaboration.
The fourth in the Chamber’s Sustainability Working Groups ‘Talking Thames Valley – Sustainability’ initiative revolved around ‘Technology and Sustainability’. We invited Carrie Lambert, Head of Sustainability at Reaction Engines to speak about the future of technological advancement’s impact on the environment.
Hosted by Paul Smith, Group Quality and Regulatory Affairs Director at Owen Mumford, the pair discussed the intersectionality of two extensive sectors, and how SME’s and big businesses alike can balance these moving forward.
Following on from the first four very successful recordings, we were delighted to that the fifth in the Chamber’s Sustainability Working Groups ‘Talking Thames Valley – Sustainability’ initiative revolved around the Journey to Accreditation.
Hosted by Rob Alvarez, Head of Site Digital Transformation & Site Environmental Sustainability Lead at Lonza, Rob was in conversation with Paul Smith, Group Quality and Regulatory Affairs Director at Owen Mumford.
State of the Region Report
The State of the Region Report is a business-led initiative and the first which considers a region-wide perspective on the Thames Valley’s pathway to net zero and how we are considering climate change and sustainability.
We hope, over time, that the State of the Region report will be regularly reviewed and, through the adoption and use of a consistent set of indicators, form a baseline and standard for the business community to follow and use.
Thames Valley Business Checklist
The Checklist is a document which helps businesses of all sizes take a practical approach to the climate change issues affecting them.
It can be used by any business that wants to join the net zero revolution and either start on, or advance, their journey along the pathway to net zero.
To access the full Checklist, which includes in-depth explanation of the principles and ‘think-levers’ underpinning the collective approach to net zero; enabling you to gain an understanding of the actions and aims of the checklist, click here.
If you are now ready to take action and start ticking off the steps towards net zero – use our compact, workbook version which will help you track your progress by clicking here.
