Publications

To Sustain to keep from failing or sinking over prolonged periods; to endure without giving way; keep going continuously' Def: Business practical, systematic; relating to work, management, trade, commerce; buying and selling' On a straightforward level, a Sustainable Business is one that is able to withstand the bumps and pit-holes of everyday life and therefore continue into the future. Therefore any measure that supports a Sustainable Business is essentially promoting good management practices. However, in addition to this, the concept of Sustainable Business is usually referred to within the context of Sustainable Development. Sustainable development means different things to different people, but the most frequently quoted definition is from the report Our Common Future (also known as the Brundtland Report) 'Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' While there are strong ethical reasons for pursuing the sustainable development route, there is also a strong business case to be made.

More information on energy publicaitons - Renewable energy policy - Department of Energy and Climate Change

A sustainable business is likely to be more competitive, more resilient to shocks, more responsive to change and more likely to attract and hold customers and the best employees. It can also be more at ease with regulators, banks, insurers and financial markets. Companies that care about the environment are more likely to be successful in the long-term than those who don t. Sustainable business policies will be profitable but companies are led by, and serve, people with vision and values. In the long-term, companies that do not reflect these visions and values will not survive. Therefore, a sustainable business is one that:

Protects and enhances the environment through responsible use of materials, efficient use of energy and minimisation of waste; Invests in its workforce and local community and builds trust through transparency and credibility; Contributes towards a vibrant local economy; Meets needs locally wherever possible; and, Considers the environmental, social and economic impacts of all its decisions. Enabling local business to appreciate the opportunities that Sustainable Businesses practices bring has both political and economic support.

For example, the East of England Regional Economic Strategy states that, The quality of (the) natural and built environment will play an important part in the region s economic success. All business sectors will realise the potential of environmental technologies, waste minimisation and recycling . While the Regional Development Plan states that, Sustainable development practices are encouraged recognising the mutual dependence of the economic, social and environmental consequences of investing in employment and skills. Greater awareness and understanding of what this means in practice is required.

We hope that the information on this site, along with the links that visitors can make from it, will help to meet these aims. ©2003 - Beds & Luton Sustainable Business Partnership. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer Business Environmental Training Initiative

What They Say about new energy...

  • DECC Confirm Contingency Plan
  • New energy efficiency rating for homes highlights need for proper valuations of houses
  • Do you wish to harness an income from your land with solar panels?
    A call for commitment from the Government re: EU renewables target
    Government needs to do more to remind the public it has not killed the FIT
    The need for real data to prove renewable technology’s worth
    Feed-in-tariff is not dead!
    Pros & Cons of The Green Deal.
    The Green Deal is coming, but what does it mean?
    Time is running out for 50kwp solar systems at the top rate of feed in tariff

 

Quick Links

Events 2024

'Social enterprise and the environment' event June 25, 2024

THIS WEBSITE WILL HELP YOU FIND PUBLICLY FUNDED SUPPORT AVAILABLE IN WALES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SMALL-SCALE RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Save Up To 80% On Your Household Bills


FREE Training - how will climate change affect your community? June 25, 2024
Greener Living Fund launch - first pictures June 25, 2024

Wood Energy
Greener Living Programme launched June 23, 2024
The third sector gave us the welfare state, can it give us the sustainable state? June 22, 2024
UK Climate Projections launched (significant!) June 18, 2024
Funding Central launched June 17, 2024
Third Sector Climate Change Declaration June 15, 2024
Real Help for Communities: Volunteers, Charities and Social Enterprises June 7, 2024
The sun is inexhaustible. It will never run out meaning free energy for you forever Film June 5, 2024.

 

Comparing UK Solar Panel Installers could
Save Up To 65%

Compare UK Solar Panel Installers And Save Up To 65% Save Money Cut your electricity bill by 70%. Earn Money Earn over £800 per year with the feed in tariff. Accredited Companies We only deal with certified installers. Quick and Easy It might be worth talking to a number of different companies. One we have found helpful and consistently delivering high results in the commercial industry is Enviko, but please be your own judge.

 

UK Solar PV Benefits & Savings

Solar PV Cost/Savings example

This example is based on a 50kwp system with 30 degree pitch in Swindon with no grid upgrades and straight forward access. (2010)

System size: 50 kW
System cost: £75,000 +VAT
Income from FiT: £225,822 (assuming 3% RPI increase on 15.2p/kWh tariff)
Energy Savings: £106,142 (assuming unit cost = 11p/kWh)
Export Tariff Income: £15,469 (assuming inflation of 5%)
Total Profit (exc. install cost): £272,433

Benefits of Solar PV systems

    • Lower electricity bills
    • Cut carbon emissions
    • Benefit from Feed-in-tariff for 25 years
    • Cut carbon emissions
    • Improve efficiency of building
    • Sell electricity back to the grid to earn the Export tariff

    Solar PV for Farmers

    Solar can help farmers reduce energy costs and generate income at the same time. A solar PV installation can substantially reduce energy costs, especially for farms running power-hungry equipment during daylight hours. Through the feed-in-tariff you can expect a return on investment of around 8% for a 25 year period, plus the savings on your electricity costs.

    As a Solar PV specialist and accredited installer since 2004, we can help expedite planning applications and complete fit outs on permitted developments quickly and efficiently.

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Energy Saving 2024

Impact of Participating

The difficulty of engaging with people has meant that Bryony isn’t sure how accurately they’re sticking to their pledges. “I’m hoping that the new scheme where you can make your own pledges will improve things” she says. “It’s a good move for this audience where people are probably already doing some of the standard pledges”. Pic

Wood Burning Energy?

Converting wood into energy

The renewable energy industry in Wales is providing the potential for new Wood Energy Businesses to be established by entrepreneurial individuals or co-operatives. www.woodenergybusiness.co.uk A Wood Energy Business will need: 1. A guaranteed, local supply of wood or processed wood fuel 2.

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Solar Power

The UK embraces Solar Power

The Government has set targets for the number of UK households that will have installed solar panels to their home. Contrary to popular believe the UK has over 65% of the radiation that Spain receives which is more than enough to guarantee a the function of a Solar PV system. With the Government's feed-in tariff in place that allows an income to be produced from installing solar energy the number of homes that rely soley on solar power is set to rise.Pic