Sustainability support for businesses, jobs and skills

Join us on our journey to become one of London’s most sustainable boroughs.

We are working to create and support more green businesses, jobs and green skills in the borough.

The benefits of sustainable business

Being more sustainable can be great for businesses. It can:

help you make progress towards net zero carbon
lower the costs of running your business
grow your revenue
help staff build their skills to support your business
help keep talent
access new partnerships, investment, and sustainable customers
attract shoppers who want to shop sustainably

Where to start

Many businesses want to become more sustainable but don’t always know where to start. Here are our tips to support you and your business to become more sustainable:

What all businesses can do on their journey to becoming more sustainable

build awareness of sustainable practices amongst your employees

make sustainability part of your culture, embed this way of thinking in your organisation
cut down on waste

Think about the waste you produce, are you able to reduce paper or printing?

Cut down or ban single use plastic water bottles, bags or takeaway containers?

If you’re not able to completely reduce waste, can you recycle more and support your staff to do the same?
recycle more to make a bigger impact

As well as recycling your own waste, think about making it easier for your staff and others to recycle.

If you’re able to, think about investing in recycled resources, such as buying recycled goods. This may cost a little more initially, as recycled goods are often a bit more expensive. But the environmental cost of using new, single use materials is much higher.
change your travel habits to cut pollution

Reducing the number of cars on the road cuts back on pollution as well as reducing carbon emissions.

If you need to travel, think about whether you can use public transport, cycle or car share
Encourage cycling

Could you install a bike rack near your business, and make it easier for your staff to cycle too?

We recognise, not all businesses will be able to enable hybrid or home working; but if you can, this will also help. More information on our Active Travel for workplaces campaign
choose environmentally conscious suppliers

If you're a small business that wants to tackle climate change, join with others that want to do that too. Not only will you be able to support each other but you may be able to share best practice.

One of the ways you can be more environmentally conscious is by using local suppliers, this not only supports your local economy and other small businesses but will have an impact on your carbon footprint.
make sustainable lunch choices

Consider eating seasonal and locally produced food; this not only saves air miles but also is more sustainable.
be more energy efficient

Turning off electric appliances at the plug socket when not in use, will not only save energy but can also save money on your electricity bills.
switch your lighting to LED lightbulbs

To save 75 percent energy compared to traditional light bulbs, why not switch to LED bulbs; this not only saves energy but in the long run may also reduce electricity bills.
if your business offers a delivery service or you use cars for business travel

Think about whether you can change from petrol and diesel or invest in an electric vehicle. For shorter journeys could you cycle, use public transport or walk. Think about ways you can reduce the amount of journeys you make, as with other ideas, this is not only better for the planet it also saves energy.
plant a tree

Why not invest in planting trees in the borough?

Visit Barnet Trees for Streets
offset your carbon

One way to balance your business’s carbon emissions is through carbon offsetting. This is when a business takes part in schemes to remove greenhouse gas emissions; Compensating for their own emissions. If you would like to talk to someone in the Sustainability Team on how you can get involved in projects across Barnet contact BarNetZERO@barnet.gov.uk

High street operators

For retailers and other high street businesses, ReLondon has free help available to support you on your sustainability journey, some ideas include:

attending a free workshop on the circular economy, and how to reduce waste
applying for a grant to help you deliver sustainability initiatives
getting support on how to make changes that have real impact on your business and staff

Landlords

If you’re a landlord or have control over a building, free support is available from Better Futures. They offer:

12 months free access to a carbon calculator to measure your carbon footprint
a tailored carbon reduction plan to meet national guidelines
a free energy audit and energy reduction report to help reduce your energy bills
free access to an online learning portal to future proof your business
weekly educational webinars on a suite of business sustainability topics
consultancy with experts from a range of fields
grants for sustainable innovations and energy efficiency initiatives.

To get access to this programme your business must have: