FSB in Somerset were pleased to be part of the group organising the second Somerset Business Climate Summit. More than 60 local businesses joined the Somerset Business Climate Summit 2022 held at Queens College in Taunton on Wednesday 21 September.
The event opened with a surprise flash mob choir performance from Year 4 & 5 students from Queen’s College, who performed an inspiring and poignant rendition of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’.
Over the course of the morning, delegates heard from other Somerset businesses how they have successfully reduced their carbon footprints whilst deriving other benefits and reduced costs in their business. The speakers provided insights on a wide range of topics relating to how businesses can reach carbon net-zero and take steps to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Guest speakers from businesses of different sizes and industries, including Thatcher’s Cider, My Carbon Coach, The Field Works, South West Manufacturing Advisory Service, Trees for Good Causes, and FSB member New Leaf Design, a recently certified B Corp business, discussed topics including advice on the easiest ways for businesses to cut carbon, what Net Zero means, the journey to B Corp, and sustainable agriculture and manufacturing. Local Development Manager Ruth Lambert helped to host the event gleaning responses via Mentimeter from the audience on what their next steps as a result of attending the conference might be and facilitating a Q&A with the speakers.
Organisations supporting the conference, alongside the five Somerset local authorities, included FSB, FSB member New Leaf Life Design, The Field Works, Taunton Chamber, Somerset Chamber and the NFU. It was a great example of partnership working where organisations came together with a shared goal to support Somerset small businesses in their net zero journey.
Building on the event, there will be several workshops held across Somerset between October and December 2022 to continue supporting businesses in reducing their impact on the environment, promote networking and the sharing of best practise.
You can find out more information about these workshops here. You can also find some useful resources to help with your own sustainability journey on the FSB’s Small Business Sustainability Hub.