Business Climate Challenge - The Fitzrovia Partnership

SIX WORK PROGRAMMES 2022 > 2027

PROGRAMME 2: ESG – ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

The Fitzrovia Partnership provides a cohesive approach to help businesses achieve shared objectives and as an area we are making great strides to achieve a more economic and environmentally sustainable district.

Fiona Clark, Board Member
Practice Director and Co-owner, David Miller Architects

Home » Work Programmes » 2. ESG » Business Climate Challenge / Corporate Social Responsibility

SIX WORK PROGRAMMES 2022 > 2027

PROJECT: BUSINESS CLIMATE CHALLENGE (BCC)

1. Why the Business Climate Challenge?

Greenhouse gas emissions from non-domestic buildings in London amount to almost one third of London’s emissions. Therefore, businesses are critical in supporting the city to achieve its net zero carbon by 2030 target.

Energy efficiency saves money, which is even more critical with rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis. But it is often hard to know where to start.

By participating in this pioneering initiative, selected businesses in The Fitzrovia Partnership are receiving direct support and join a growing list of forward-thinking businesses all committed to climate action.

Participants in the pilot of the BCC in 2021 – 2022, delivered in partnership with Better Bankside, saw on average a 16% reduction in their energy use and cost savings of £8,300.

In this current round, over 200 businesses from across London have been selected to participate. These businesses have committed to achieving at least a 10% reduction in energy use in the first year. This will help put London on the track to net zero.

*Based on data reporting from 14 of the participating businesses.

G23 of these businesses are from The Fitzrovia Partnership. The list of participating businesses is:

2. What does a participating business receive?

BCC participants commit to making at least a 10% reduction in their energy consumption in a year. To help businesses achieve this, they receive:

Technical support from a leading energy consultant including:
- A workplace audit to assess the operational efficiency of the premises and identify energy reduction opportunities.
- A bespoke recommendation report including ‘quick win’ energy conservation measures through to deep retrofit measures that can be undertaken, energy and cost savings potential of those measures, and an understanding of the journey to net zero.
- A building “walk through” to discuss the report findings, recommendations, and next steps.
- Follow up one-to-one calls to troubleshoot specific challenges encountered.
Training sessions to upskill facilities managers and other staff
Access to energy and carbon literacy learning materials
Cohort knowledge-sharing opportunities with The Fitzrovia Partnership businesses as well as the over 200 businesses from across London participating in the BCC
Social media and case study highlights for businesses who are implementing actions
A Mayoral recognition event at the end of the programme to recognise and celebrate the participants that have reached the 10% energy reduction target

How does this benefit participating businesses?

Reduce energy bills – operating workplaces more efficiently and installing cleaner technologies enables significant energy cost savings
Stand out to clients – addressing workplaces’ emissions attracts and retains clients who are demanding more sustainable practices.
Support London’s efforts towards net zero – participating in the BCC is a unique opportunity to contribute towards London’s efforts to reach its net zero by 2030 target.
Be recognised – participating businesses will be recognised as climate action pioneers.
Attract talent and engage staff – talented Londoners want to work for environmentally-conscious companies taking action to reduce their carbon footprint. Staff become more engaged and productive when they feel they are part of making a difference.
Improve the value and health of your workplace – improving energy performance provides a competitive advantage in the commercial letting market and enables proactive response to potential future changes in regulation. Becoming more energy efficient will create a healthier and more comfortable environment for staff and visitors.
Access a network of like-minded businesses - participants can collaborate with other participating businesses within the BID as well as those from the other Business Engagement Partners in the BCC to share best practices around implementing energy retrofits and decarbonising estates.

3. What does a participating business have to do?

BCC participants commit to making at least a 10% reduction in their energy consumption in a year.

BCC participants do the following:

Sign a support agreement committing to reducing their energy consumption by 10% in a year.
Appoint a dedicated project lead and secondary point of contact who will be the main interface for BCC engagement, peer sharing, and data reporting (ideally this will be someone in the estates or sustainability teams).
Appoint a decision maker who can approve implementation of energy efficiency measures in the workplace. (Project lead and decision maker can be the same person)
Provide energy consumption, building equipment, occupancy, and other relevant data required by the technical support provider prior to them undertaking the building audit.
Attend BCC activities (building audit, building walkthrough, training sessions, cohort knowledge-sharing activities, etc.)
Report monthly energy consumption data and progress on implementation of energy efficiency measures to the technical support provider.

4. How does a business get involved?

First you must be an eligible type of business. The eligibility criteria are:

Building management: Owners, owner-occupiers, building managers and tenants all may participate. However, BCC participants must have influence over/ability to make changes to workplace operations.
Size: The BCC is focused on enterprises of 50-249 employees, but smaller and larger businesses have been accepted on a case-by-case basis. Buildings participating in the Challenge should ideally have 50+ employees (this can be across multiple participating businesses) but this could be fewer if they have a significant energy demand.
Building type: Spaces that include a mix of uses are eligible. Retrofit works have previously focussed on office space, but the expanded BCC is also piloting approaches to support retrofit in other commercial uses.
Membership: Businesses must belong to one of the 9 participating Business engagement partners to apply.

The cohort for 2022-2023 is full. The Fitzrovia Partnership is interested in sharing lessons learned with a wider network of businesses so please contact us if you would like to be informed or to participate in a future round of applications.

Have questions?
Email sustainability@fitzroviapartnership.com and we will set up a 121 session to walk through the programme or include you in the network.

You can find more information on the BCC on the GLA website here: Mayor of London Business Climate Challenge.

5. Resources

Download key documents and information about the BCC:

Contact

11-13 Bayley Street
London
WC1B 3HD

Tel: 020 3146 4260
Email: info@fitzroviapartnership.com

Quick links

Fitzrovia websites

Enjoy Fitzrovia
www.enjoyfitzrovia.co.uk

West Fitzrovia (for businesses in Borough of Westminster)
https://westfitzrovia.com/