Suffolk County Council’s annual Carbon Charter event, hosted at the Coddenham Centre on 11 July 2024, honoured businesses from Suffolk and Norfolk for their achievements in environmental sustainability. More than 100 delegates from a range of local businesses shared their experiences of reducing their environmental impact, and heard from guest speakers from Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Volvo Trucks UK. The Carbon Charter was set up in 2010 by Suffolk County Council and the Environment Agency. Since then, over 500 businesses have received Carbon Charter awards for taking climate action, by reducing their carbon emissions, supporting their local community and developing green spaces. Earlier this year, the Carbon Charter itself was an award winner, receiving the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) award for Delivering Clean Growth in the UK – recognised for the effect the Charter is having on moving the economy towards a low carbon future, and praised for its very practical approach to helping businesses transition to net zero. Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality, said: “One of the county council’s ambitions is to strengthen the local economy, and one way we are actively delivering this is by supporting local businesses to tackle climate change, through the Carbon Charter. “Customers and clients increasingly care about how seriously businesses are reducing their impact on the environment – it could be the difference between choosing one supplier over another. For a company to proudly display a Carbon Charter award, it gives confidence to their customers that they care for the environment. “The Carbon Charter directly helps businesses of any size to address their carbon reduction challenges, provides expertise and access to grants and funding, and offers ongoing support to make changes.” Carbon Charter Gold Awards were presented to leading print company, Denny Bros, from Bury St Edmunds, and to Seckford Hall for their exceptional environmental contributions. Event host, the Coddenham Centre, was also presented with a Gold Award. It has reduced its carbon footprint by 91%, has public electric vehicle charging points, air source heat pumps, LED lighting, enhanced insulation and 80 solar panels which provide power to both the Centre and the national grid. In its grounds it has also established wildflower areas, newly planted hedgerows and is part of a wider community nature trail. Andrew MacPherson, Chair of Coddenham Centre CIO, said: “The Centre’s journey on tackling climate action has really benefitted from the support provided by Suffolk County Council,and Mid Suffolk District Council, so it feels fitting to host this year’s Carbon Charter event. “We’re extremely proud to receive our Gold Carbon Charter award, it’s a real testament to the vision and hard work of our team, sponsors and volunteers. We’ve made the Coddenham Centre a venue which visitors can feel proud of using, knowing that we’re working hard to protect the environment.” Businesses at any stage of their carbon reduction journey can benefit from the work of the Carbon Charter, whether they are not sure where to start, or are looking to take their efforts to the next level. For more information on the Carbon Charter, visit www.carboncharter.org ENDS Notes to editors Image caption: Ned Harrison (Carbon Negative Nature Positive Programme Manager, Suffolk County Council), right, presents members of the Coddenham Centre with their Gold Carbon Charter award. For further information contact: Ben Matthews Tel: 01473 264389 Email: ben.matthews@suffolk.gov.uk About the Coddenham Centre The Coddenham Centre provides sports, recreation, coaching and family activities for all ages. The Coddenham Centre is committed to playing its part in contributing to national and regional targets to achieve net zero carbon emissions. We are a small business with charitable status, established in 2019 with an annual turnover this year approaching £100K. Created to manage and deliver sustainable community support through a multi-activity community building and its grounds, in the Suffolk village of Coddenham. In just four years, despite the emergence of the COVID pandemic within six months of formation and significant legacy maintenance challenges, we have created a sustainable award-winning enterprise, reducing its carbon footprint by 91% (Suffolk County Council audit 2024), since a 2020 baseline. This year we will have reduced an annual operational dependency on the local precept/rates support from of £14,000 pa to zero. We have also attracted £140,000 of environmentally related asset improvement through fund raising. We currently host some 18 activities and regular community events, while leading on a range of environmental initiatives in pursuit of a role as community exemplar. Website: www.thecoddenhamcentre.co.uk Images: www.thecoddenhamcentre.co.uk/media/ More Details and Agenda