Sandwell businesses and entrepreneurs don’t just share a borough, we share a planet.
Our climate is changing in Sandwell and across the world, largely due to our lifestyles which are dependent on fossil fuels (using oil, coal and gas). Climate change means that our weather will become more extreme, leading to increasing numbers of flooding events and heatwaves.
Sandwell Council has declared a climate emergency. One of our seven economic priorities is ‘Net Zero in Sandwell’. We need to work together to build climate resilience: reducing and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
What is net zero?
We all have a responsibility to create a cleaner, greener environment. As a bonus, you may find a wealth of business growth opportunities on your journey to net zero.
“Put simply, net zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the atmosphere, by oceans and forests for instance” – United Nations.
‘Net Zero in Sandwell’ SME grants
Due to unmitigated demand we can no longer accept applications for our Net Zero SME grant scheme. We encourage you to check this page for updates in case future funding becomes available.
You can still register for an energy audit via the Decarbonisation Net Zero Programme. You may also wish to look at the the Business Energy Efficiency Grant Programme which is open to small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from all sectors.
Sandwell Business Growth Plan
Launched in October 2024, the Sandwell Business Growth Plan sets out Sandwell Council’s strategy to support businesses over the next two financial years. Download it below and see how ‘Net Zero in Sandwell’ is embedded into our plans:
Sandwell Business Growth Plan
Download
You can also download the 2023 growth plan here.
Discover Opportunities in the Green Economy
Business Growth West Midlands has launched the Green Economy Series, a fully funded programme designed to help Midlands businesses explore sustainability and unlock growth opportunities within the green economy. Running from December 2024 to February 2025, this series includes expert-led workshops, networking opportunities, and one-to-one consultations to support businesses on their green journey.
Learn more about the Green Economy Series and register here.
More information and resources
