Communities, Businesses and Schools

Everyone has a part to play in improving our local environment and in contributing solutions to global issues.

To succeed we will need the full participation of individuals, communities, businesses, district, town and parish councils, schools and voluntary organisations, setting out their own achievements and their plans to reduce Suffolk’s environmental impact. This theme emphasises the importance of engaging with all the people who live and work here in achieving the Greenest County.

We are supporting communities, businesses and schools to deliver their own initiatives, through advice and financial support. We are also publicising existing best practice, and helping to create a network of people who can share their experience and expertise, through our awards scheme.

Business support will cover both the market opportunities that environmental change and management presents, and how to adapt to lessen the environmental impact of business through more efficient processes, sustainable business planning and supply chains. We already have some local companies that are leading in this field and we are building on their experience and success. The business area is being developed by the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Directors.

Support is available for urban and rural communities and community groups that wish to move towards carbon neutrality through a scheme of grants and advisory services (more information here.)

And for schools, we are working to build on our existing strong body of EcoSchools with ambitious targets for more, as well as linking to SCC’s award-winning Kitchen Garden Project. We are aiming to support and exceed the DfES’s Sustainable Schools Framework.