Business leaders take Telford a step closer to reaching carbon neutral vision
Telford & Wrekin Council teamed up with DENSO Manufacturing UK Ltd and partners last week for the first Telford Sustainability & Energy Cluster (TSEC) meeting.
This new forum aims to bring businesses and partners together to help shape the future of sustainable and clean growth within the borough of Telford and Wrekin.
Business-led, the TSEC is a sub-group of the already established ‘Telford and Wrekin Borough Climate Change Partnership’ which was formed in June 2020 to help drive the borough’s journey towards carbon neutrality. The Partnership comprises members drawn from the local business community, educational establishments, community groups, town and parish councils and other public sector organisations.
This exciting new business initiative brings together key stakeholders to showcase and highlight best practices, identify areas of focus, and collaborate on projects to address sustainability issues. It aims to provide a platform to support and address the challenges businesses face including achieving energy security and reducing costs.
Hosted by DENSO Manufacturing UK Ltd, one of the borough’s longest standing manufacturers, 22 businesses attended.
Chris Lindsay, DENSO Sustainability and Energy manager, said:
“We have been committed to sustainability since the company began in 1949 so it’s at the heart of our core values, protecting lives, preserving the planet and preparing a bright future for generations to come. TSEC is an opportunity for us to connect to other businesses and for us to work together on common issues and solutions that will not only help us grow and thrive but will benefit Telford and the wider community.”
Councillor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for place (the economy & neighbourhood services), said:
"This first forum meeting was an important opportunity to hear directly from the business community about the issues they face but also to share best practice and insights from experts so we can work together. Our Invest Telford business team are committed to supporting local businesses and this is an example of how we can help to facilitate solutions and understand what the priorities are, whether that is achieving energy security, reducing costs, sharing knowledge or accessing funding."
Councillor Carolyn Healy (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for climate action, green spaces, heritage and leisure, added:
"The TSEC will play a vital role in supporting our climate change strategy and helping to drive our vision for a carbon neutral borough. By working together, we can leverage our collective knowledge and resources to drive positive change and create a more sustainable future for the borough."
The inception of the TSEC was recommended in a recent report by Sustainability West Midlands, commissioned by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) and Telford & Wrekin Council.
The report highlighted the need for organisations to work closely together to achieve clean growth, leading to the establishment of a Resource Efficiency Cluster. Led by business, the TSEC will look to work with key partners such as educational leaders, the local authority, national agencies including National Grid, and relevant government departments through the Midlands Net Zero Hub.
The TSEC will have the autonomy to determine its focus areas, but initial priorities may include lobbying, promoting best practices and showcasing Telford, providing updates on national initiatives and funding, project development, skills development, and peer to peer opportunities.
By collaboratively addressing sustainability and energy-related challenges, the TSEC aims to create a positive impact on the region's economy, environment and overall quality of life.
For more information about Invest Telford and how it can support your business, visit www.investtelford.co.uk
