More than 100 organisations sign West Midlands net zero pledge

More than 100 businesses based in the West Midlands have now committed to becoming net-zero by 2041,

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, The National Lottery, Severn Trent Water, and Black Country-based manufacturer AVACE are the latest cohort to sign the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Net Zero Business Pledge to cut their emissions.

When a business agrees to the pledge, it receives practical support and guidance from the partnership between the WMCA and Sustainability West Midlands (SWM) to help its journey to net-zero.

Steps include installing energy saving light bulbs, using cleaner manufacturing or building processes, switching to electric vehicles, looking at environment-friendly packaging and waste management options and encouraging their supply chains to take action.

Sara Blair-Manning, chief executive at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, said: “In our role as a West Midlands environmental educational charity, we’re committed to meeting UK environmental legislation, promoting good environmental practice, and encouraging behavioural change to all who engage with the gardens.

“Signing up to the WM Net Zero Pledge offers an opportunity for us to be supported by an expert team and a chance to engage with a cohort of like-minded businesses and charities. We are delighted to have made the pledge.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Our region has been described as the birthplace of the industrial revolution and therefore – as one of the earliest contributors to pollution on our precious planet – you could argue that this gives us a special duty to be at the forefront of the coming Green Industrial Revolution.

“To lead change at this scale, we need businesses of all sizes – and from all sectors – to commit to new ways of working. That’s why it’s great news that we’ve reached this milestone of 100 signatories to the net zero business pledge – an ideal complement to the WMCA’s own #WM2041 net zero commitment.

“I’m sure more firms will now be encouraged to follow suit – cutting costs, becoming more energy efficient and ultimately reducing their environmental impact on our region.”