Environmental Initiatives

West Berkshire council have pledged to go carbon neutral by 2030

This means that the environment and sustainability agenda is considered in everything we do. Businesses can be a great support in achieving this and we have worked with our environment team to deliver some great projects in the past year.

We hope to make it as easy as possible to be a green business here in West Berkshire and we offer support and guidance to all businesses who are looking to be more sustainable.

Shop Local Shop Green Magazine

This was initially a Christmas magazine to highlight some of the shops we have in West Berkshire that are green. The aim was to encourage residents to shop locally and buy sustainable products. We thought this was a great way to showcase some of our local businesses and it’s now available all year round!

Read it here

Road signs in village road

Listen to the shops that took part in this campaign!

Hampstead Norreys Community Shop

The Curve Hungerford

Business initiatives and support:

Sustainable Business Partnership: Join the Sustainable Business Network to connect with low carbon organisations to share ideas and best practice, and build business relationships (membership is free)
Energy Saving Trust: Find information and support for supply chain and businesses, along with insight, advice, training and consultancy services on energy efficiency, low carbon transport, and renewable energy generation.
Carbon Trust: Find advice for businesses on strategy, supply chain, operational sustainability, innovation and delivery and assurance & green certification.
Environmental Information Exchange (EiE): As part of Oxford Brookes University, the EiE provides a wide range of practical information, actions, and support to help organisations understand and implement efficiency actions.
SME Climate Hub: Find useful free resources here, developed with Oxford University, to support small businesses in reducing their carbon emissions. These include support for reporting emissions, business strategy, and reducing supply chain emissions.
Investors in the Environment: This is a national environmental accreditation scheme designed to help organisations save time and money, reduce their impact on the environment, and get promoted for their green credentials. This is suitable for organisations of all types and sizes, regardless of industry.

Sustainable Travel

We try and encourage sustainable travel wherever we can. Could you walk/cycle a short route instead of driving? Or take a bus or train for something longer? The below gives you some options to consider when you're planning your journey, to find out more about travelling in West Berkshire, please visit the council's Transport Page.

By Car: Car Sharing Scheme, Electrical Car Charging Points, Hire a car

Public Transport: Bus Checker, Trainline, GWR

Walking/Cycling: Cycling Routes, Planning your journey, Public Rights of way

cycling along canal

Environment Team in West Berkshire

Environment strategy: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/environmentstrategy

Environment Strategy Delivery Plan: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/EnvironmentDP

Contact the Environment Team: https://info.westberks.gov.uk/article/37387/Environment-Delivery-Team