[New] Herts Chamber Members Pledge to Net Zero

Herts Go Green and Grow Update

By Fiona Edwards, JPA Workspaces

It was lovely so see so many of the group in person at the Herts Chambers Sustainability Conference at Rothamsted in October which included a variety of sessions, activities and perspectives.

• Estu Global, NetZero International and JPA Workspaces planted 200 trees, one for each delegate at the Conference and are seen here presenting the certificate to Chamber CEO, Briege Leahy.

The group, launched by Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce in 2022, continues to meet monthly on-line, increasingly bumping into each other at networking and conference events and starting to form more meaningful relationships. New members include Viatris, Insight MCL, EFF Group, Debenhams Ottaway, SA Law, the LEP and Braceys Accountants and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

The purpose of the group is simply to work together, sharing information and resources to help each other tackle environmental, social and economic challenges. We’re a cross industry mix of organisations of varying sizes and with varying expertise, but the point is that everyone has something to offer, and collaboration is key to future success.

HGG&G group founders Simon Littlewood from Estu Global, David Hawes from Net Zero International and Fiona Edwards from JPA Workspaces ran a practical workshop physically showing delegates how to calculate scope 1 & 2 emissions to begin their NetZero journeys. Some of the delegates even brought utility bills with them so calculations could be made during the session, sharing the process, and giving delegates the confidence to go away and have a go themselves.

Our latest HGG&G meeting in November covered a variety of subjects from current and coming legislation, COP27 purpose, challenges and expectations, simple

CSR activities including the multiple benefits of litter picking from Karen at Hillier Hopkins (who knew!), noticeable procurement changes, tree planting and re-wilding. Details of up-and-coming events of potential interest were circulated and shared, such as the Hertfordshire Climate Change Sustainability Conference (HCCSP) annual event in Potters Bar on 9th November and Opportunity Herts at Rothamsted on 8th December.

Ten members of the HGG&G group attended the annual HCCSP event on 9th November to gain an understanding of regional strategies and to ensure the plans we’re all making dovetail with and consolidate the key messaging. We’ll be sharing our learnings at the next HGG&G meeting on 5th December - looking forwards to it already!