Horizon South West Projects

Real action is of course the reason the very varied member groups came together in the first place.

During the past seven years we not only grew from 20+ to 45+ members. We also:

Led the UK in groundbreaking work with businesses on waste minimisation, ISO14001 environmental management systems. Member organisations developed and shared a wide range of 'products' to enable ordinary businesses to prosper by tackling efficiently the environmental challenges of the day. Hundreds of companies have been helped, and millions of pounds added to their bottom lines, not to mention protecting the region's number one economic asset - its environment.

Played a full part in developing regional strategies by making recommendations to the Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) on a strategy for sustainable development, and more recently to the new Regional Assembly. As a result we were invited to contribute to the RDA's business development sub-group, and the RA's Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste (RTAB).

Created a regional data matrix of 'who can provide what help to businesses' on environmental issues. This is used by several government organisations to link businesses to local help.

Provided continuous professional development training for the staff of member organisations, often with invited speakers covering specialist subjects such as biotechnology, or the latest legislation. This training takes place at quarterly meetings where we also share best practice, keep up with each other's activities, and form working partnerships.

Sponsors: - Government Office for the South West • Environment Agency

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Real action is of course the reason the very varied member groups came together in the first place. During the past seven years we not only grew from 20+ to 45+ members. We also: Led the UK in groundbreaking work with businesses on waste minimisation, ISO14001 environmental management systems. Member organisations developed and shared a wide range of 'products' to enable ordinary businesses to prosper by tackling efficiently the environmental challenges of the day. Hundreds of companies have been helped, and millions of pounds added to their bottom lines, not to mention protecting the region's number one economic asset - its environment. Played a full part in developing regional strategies by making recommendations to the Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) on a strategy for sustainable development, and more recently to the new Regional Assembly. As a result we were invited to contribute to the RDA's business development sub-group, and the RA's Regional Technical Advisory Body on Waste (RTAB). Created a regional data matrix of 'who can provide what help to businesses' on environmental issues. This is used by several government organisations to link businesses to local help. Provided continuous professional development training for the staff of member organisations, often with invited speakers covering specialist subjects such as biotechnology, or the latest legislation. This training takes place at quarterly meetings where we also share best practice, keep up with each other's activities, and form working partnerships. Created new regional projects to be promoted and shared by all member organisations. These include: SUSTAIN SW,launched in Spring 2002, a truly innovative project to pioneer practical ways to manage an organisation to become sustainable. Seven companies paired with seven practitioners from different HSW organisations and together hammered out the management tools needed. Now created, these methods and tools will be spread to businesses across the South West, through HSW's member organisations. Training has been delivered to more HSW members to allow them to take the SUSTAIN sms toolkit forward. Sustain Issue 2 has been produced following further experience (July 2006). The HSW Materials Exchange offered businesses the opportunity to advertise surplus materials and equipment which they no longer needed. This project was achieved with financial help from SWEET. The Exchange amaglamated with the RWC Recycling Works Waste Interchange in 2005. EnVision http://www.swenvision.org.uk/ - environmental advice for business delivered by a partnership of Global Action Plan, Groundwork SW, Plymouth College of Further Education, Business Link Devon and Cornwall and Envolve SWREC) - SW England Resource Efficiency Clubs Final Report – July 2006.(Pdf download) - This report describes the status of Resource Efficiency Clubs (RECs) operational across South West England. It also describes their history over the last few years and thus summarises reasons why many of them ceased to operate over the period 2004 – 2006. The report was instigated in order to pool the experience of the many members of Horizon South West (SW) who have run RECs, and thus to inform members of the overall situation during their consideration of BREW (Business Resource Efficiency & Waste) funding from Envirowise. During the progress of this report various REC clubs have started, and where possible these have been included. Horizon South West’s project “Marketing & Climate Change” (2006) aims to give marketers A better understanding of business impacts Realise new opportunities available Influence buyer behaviour The project is being delivered in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP). It is now in its second year: see recruitment flyer (2007) Presentation given at Bristol Workshop (8Mb) Presentation given at Exeter Workshop (12Mb) Independent evaluation of Year 1 project Marketing and Climate Change Case Studies April 2008 Insurance Company Case Study Waste Management Case Study

Sponsors: - Government Office for the South West • Environment Agency © Copyright Horizon South West 2008, Copyright and Disclaimer,