Chamber launches State of the Region report

The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce has launched the first State of the Region Report, developed in partnership with the Thames Valley’s Sustainability Working Group.

The 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.

It aims to be come a comprehensive annual report based on a consistent set of indicators, measuring the progress of the Thames Valley business community against the Government mandated net zero goal, and help highlight issues and challenges, and identify opportunities for the region to lead on climate change and sustainability.

The State of the Region survey was conducted as part of the research for the Report, in order to gather valuable data to determine where Thames Valley businesses stand in relation to net zero targets. Follow up interviews with businesses added a qualitative aspect to the research; the results and emerging themes are showcased within the Report.

The Report includes Case Studies, showcasing good practice of in-region businesses on their journey to net zero, Thought Leadership pieces of academics and business leaders, as well as the youth’s perspective on sustainability.

Paul Britton, Chief Executive, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce said

“Our State of the Region Report is the only one of its kind for the Thames Valley; taking into account the progress of the business community in the region as a collective on the pathway to net zero. The ability to measure progress is a key factor in the success of any long-term goal, particularly for one as complex as tackling the climate issue.”

The State of the Region Report is only one part of the Sustainability Working Group’s work programme; past projects include the Business Sustainability Checklist, the Pathway to Net Zero webinar, and the ongoing portfolio of sustainability-related Case Studies of in-region businesses.