Green Economy Wales

22/11/2024

HACKATHON

A hackathon brought together 26 young finalists to make their bid to contribute to a greener, fairer, climate-smart world.

Judges were unanimous in their choice of the winning team from Queen Elizabeth High School , Carmarthenshire, who addressed the challenge of fast fashion waste by designing personalised soft toys that use waste fabric which would otherwise end up in landfill.

The event- held annually- was hosted by Cymbrogi Futures- a Pembrokeshire-born education enterprise whose mission is to nurture and skill up ‘Tomorrow's Changemakers’ for a net-zero future.

A hackathon brought together 26 young finalists to make their bid to contribute to a greener, fairer, climate-smart world. Judges were unanimous in their choice of the winning team from Queen Elizabeth High, Carmarthenshire, who addressed the challenge of fast fashion waste by designing personalised...

21/11/2024

FARM RESILIENCE

New skills and training can help farmers and their employees address some of the challenges to their businesses from climate change.

As part of Wales Climate Week, which runs from 11-15 November, Farming Connect is urging farmers to enrol in courses aimed at increasing their resilience to changing weather patterns and to comply with environmental regulations.

New skills and training can help farmers and their employees address some of the challenges to their businesses from climate change. As part of Wales Climate Week, which runs from 11-15 November, Farming Connect is urging farmers to enrol in courses aimed at increasing their resilience to changing w...

20/11/2024

CUP RETURN SCHEME🥤

A pioneering cup return scheme has seen more than 2,500 cups borrowed and a 97% return rate in its first month.

Cardiff’s Refill Return Cup scheme is the first of its kind in Wales and has already saved an estimated 43kg of CO2 by reducing single-use cup waste since its October launch.

Supported by FOR Cardiff and City to Sea, with funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the pilot scheme is projected to prevent up to 30,000 single-use cups from entering Cardiff’s waste stream by March 2025.

A pioneering cup return scheme has seen more than 2,500 cups borrowed and a 97% return rate in its first month. Cardiff’s Refill Return Cup scheme is the first of its kind in Wales and has already saved an estimated 43kg of CO2 by reducing single-use cup waste since its October launch. It enables ...

20/11/2024

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

NatPower , one of the UK’s leading developers of clean energy generation and distribution, is seeking community feedback on its plans to build a new battery energy storage scheme (BESS) on a 30 hectares site located between Gwyddelwern and Clawdd Poncen, Corwen.

NatPower, one of the UK’s leading developers of clean energy generation and distribution, is seeking community feedback on its plans to build a new battery energy storage scheme (BESS) on a 30 hectares site located between Gwyddelwern and Clawdd Poncen, Corwen. Battery storage is crucial to guaran...

19/11/2024

GO AWARDS WALES🏆

Work to cut Powys County Council 's carbon footprint by helping its suppliers to cut theirs has been rewarded with a national award for the second year in a row.

Work to cut Powys County Council’s carbon footprint by helping its suppliers to cut theirs has been rewarded with a national award for the second year in a row. The council’s Procurement and Commercial Services Team won the Best Net Zero Initiative category at the GO (Government Opportunities) A...

18/11/2024

94% RECYCLING RATE ♻️

This year’s Principality Cardiff Half Marathon has achieved a recycling rate of 94% thanks to its runners and teams sorting waste and using the bins provided.

Through close collaboration with participants and partners, over a 10-year period the event’s recycling rate has improved dramatically – increasing by 82% since 2013 when it was just 12%.

Over this period the quantity of waste has reduced by 34% despite an increase of over 10,000 people taking part. This is down to a relentless focus on waste minimisation, removing unnecessary items such as plastic goody bags and switching to greener alternatives.

Run 4 Wales Principality Building Society

This year’s Principality Cardiff Half Marathon has achieved a recycling rate of 94% thanks to its runners and teams sorting waste and using the bins provided. Through close collaboration with participants and partners, over a 10-year period the event’s recycling rate has improved dramatically .....

15/11/2024

15/11/2024

15/11/2024

We helped one of Wales’ most recognisable brands, Halen Môn, fit its visitor centre with a new 100kw solar system through our Green Business Loan scheme.

Halen Môn is an internationally recognised business, which has gone on to make waves worldwide as a foodie’s favourite. The company’s sea salt carries Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in Europe and the UK, recognising the unique nature of its produce.

The 100kw solar system on the roof of Tŷ Halen was supported by a £77,000 loan from us. It’s estimated that in addition to making a carbon saving of more than 380 tonnes (per year), the new panels will make a significant contribution to the centre’s energy needs, allowing Halen Môn to export excess energy back to the grid.

Find out more about the business, whose products are supplied in major supermarkets: https://ow.ly/3ik850U48NL



Halen Môn Sea Salt . Friends of the Earth Cymru / Cyfeillion y Ddaear Cymru . Climate Cymru . GwyrddNi . Green Economy Wales . Business Wales . Business News Wales

15/11/2024

Invest in your business now to save money in the future 💰

The Green Business Loan Scheme, delivered by us with consultancy support provided by Business Wales, directly addresses the barriers facing Welsh businesses in taking steps towards decarbonisation and energy efficiency.

If you need support working towards your net zero business goals, start your journey here: https://ow.ly/vqSF50TSp9F



Uchelgais Gogledd Cymru - Ambition North Wales . Co-production Network for Wales . Friends of the Earth Cymru / Cyfeillion y Ddaear Cymru . Climate Cymru . GwyrddNi . Green Economy Wales

15/11/2024

NET ZERO JOURNEY

Rosa’s Bakery, tucked away on Shufflebotham Lane in Neath is being celebrated as an example of a small business leading the way on the journey to Net Zero, The bakery is organically certified by The Soil Association and relies on over 90% renewable energy.

Read more about Rosa's journey and the support she has received from the British Business Bank along the way HERE⬇️

A family-run bakery is being celebrated as an example of a small business leading the way on the journey to Net Zero. Rosa’s Bakery in Neath specialises in Romanian baked goods and delicacies. Founder Estera-Rosa Cundill – known as Rosa – has inherited her baking talent from her Bucharest-born...

14/11/2024

BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY

New research from Virgin Money reveals that while 68% of SME decision-makers are aware of ESG targets, over half (54%) have yet to set them for their businesses. This is despite 71% recognizing that ESG practices matter to their customers. The gap highlights the challenges in moving from awareness to action.

A lack of confidence is a key barrier, with one in four (25%) SME decision-makers uncertain about the steps needed to meet ESG goals.

More HERE⬇️

Most businesses have a significant gap between their awareness and action when it comes to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets. Research from Virgin Money highlight that while 68% of decision makers within SMEs are familiar with the concept of ESG targets, more than half (54%) have no...

13/11/2024

ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUNDING

Caws Teifi Cheese , a family-run farm and artisan cheese maker based in Llandysul, has received £100,000 funding from NatWest to improve the energy efficiency of Glynhynod Farm.

The funding will enable Caws Teifi to install a large solar array, battery storage and a vehicle EV charging point to help reduce the farm’s utility costs, enhance energy efficiency and boost environmental efforts.

Caws Teifi, a family-run farm and artisan cheese maker based in Llandysul, has received £100,000 funding from NatWest to improve the energy efficiency of Glynhynod Farm. The business was founded in 1982 and has been producing high quality Welsh cheese for almost four decades. The family run firm wa...

12/11/2024

CARBON LITERACY ACTION DAY COURSE

🗓️ 14th November
⏰ 9:00am - 4:15pm
📍 sbarc|spark Cardiff University

Cynnal Cymru - Sustain Wales is hosting a one-day training course as part of Carbon Literacy Action Day, aimed at staff in organisations who want to know how to start tackling their effect on the climate.

Sustainable development organisation Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales is hosting a one-day training course as part of Carbon Literacy Action Day. The event, on November 14th, also coincides with Wales Climate Week and COP29. Held at Spark Cardiff, the training course is aimed at staff in organisations...

11/11/2024

NEW LEISURE & WELLBEING CENTRE

A significant milestone for Newport’s new leisure and wellbeing centre has been marked when the site was officially handed over to the firm that will build it.

Welsh company Wynne Construction was awarded the contract and representatives met senior council politicians and officers ahead of work starting on site.

It will be among the UK’s first Net Zero leisure centres powered entirely by electricity from renewable sources and is expected to open to the public in 2026.

More HERE⬇️

Newport City Council Business News Wales

A significant milestone for Newport’s new leisure and wellbeing centre has been marked when the site was officially handed over to the firm that will

08/11/2024

SUSTAINABILITY GAME CHANGER AWARD🏆

A manager at North Wales firm Moneypenny has been recognised as a Sustainability Game-Changer at the prestigious Planet Mark Awards 2024.

The award ceremony, held at The Shaw Theatre, St Pancras, London, celebrated Moneypenny and Hannah Williams Skinner’s exceptional commitment to driving impactful environmental change, underlining their outstanding contributions to the journey towards net zero.

A manager at North Wales firm Moneypenny has been recognised as a Sustainability Game-Changer at the prestigious Planet Mark Awards 2024. The award ceremony, held at The Shaw Theatre, St Pancras, London, celebrated Moneypenny and Hannah Williams Skinner’s exceptional commitment to driving impactfu...

07/11/2024

SOLAR PROJECT🔆

A Cardiff-based innovator in biotechnology has achieved energy savings through a solar energy installation.

The Logical Group has worked with Biocatalysts Ltd on the installation of its solar project, which is designed to enhance their energy efficiency and advance their sustainability goals.

A Cardiff-based innovator in biotechnology has achieved energy savings through a solar energy installation. Logical Group has worked with Biocatalysts Ltd on the installation of its solar project, which is designed to enhance their energy efficiency and advance their sustainability goals. Logical’...

06/11/2024

SUSTAINABLE POWYS

Solar panels, batteries, LED lighting and loft insulation have been fitted at five Powys schools, with community centres attached, in a bid to make them more sustainable.

The work is expected to deliver combined annual cost savings of around £42,000 and carbon savings estimated at 23 tonnes of CO2e.

Solar panels, batteries, LED lighting and loft insulation have been fitted at five Powys schools, with community centres attached, in a bid to make them more sustainable. The work is expected to deliver combined annual cost savings of around £42,000 and carbon savings estimated at 23 tonnes of CO2e...