The Climate Action Programme, developed by Danske Bank and responsible business network Business in the Community (BITC) in Northern Ireland, offers businesses help to develop, enhance or accelerate measures to monitor and reduce their carbon footprint and prepare their business for the future.

Part-funded by Danske Bank, the four-month Climate Action Programme helps organisations to understand how they can address the climate crisis through accredited Carbon Literacy Training; measure their carbon footprint; develop a future-proof Climate Action Plan that’s bespoke to their organisation; and build relationships with and learn from key business leaders in Northern Ireland.

Suki Tea took part in the programme last year. Co-founder and Managing Director Annie Irwin said: “We’re a small team with limited resources so when I heard about the Climate Action Programme I was keen to get on it.

“We feel a lot more confident and equipped to benchmark our own Scope 3 emissions after the programme. The programme has given us great team engagement and the impetus to reach out to Invest NI and Queen’s University to get more support with the next steps, to assist us in the creation of our road map to net zero carbon.”

‘With customers, suppliers and investors increasingly focused on the climate actions of businesses, the programme ensures that businesses are on the right track to successfully respond to the climate challenge’

Chris Martin, Head of Sustainability at Danske Bank, said: “This is the second year we’ve been able to make the Climate Action Programme available to our Corporate and Business customers.

“The programme is a fantastic way for businesses large or small to develop their climate response and make a tangible commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.

“With customers, suppliers and investors increasingly focused on the climate actions of businesses, the programme ensures that businesses are on the right track to successfully respond to the climate challenge.”

Keelin McCone, Head of Environment at BITC, said: “BITC is delighted to partner with Danske Bank on this important programme. The Bank has already supported 45 corporate customers from a range of sectors on their climate journey and is playing a critical role in Northern Ireland’s transition to a successful, low-carbon economy.

“Danske realises the powerful positive influence it can have through its value chain and with its stakeholders. Through the programme, participating businesses will be proactive about net-zero planning and increase levels of reporting and capacity-building, to enable delivery of immediate and long-term climate action.”

On completion of the programme, businesses will have a clear understanding of their specific starting point or ‘baseline’ and a vision of what the company can aim to achieve. Participating businesses are then invited to sign the Climate Action Pledge, a public commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% or 50% by 2030.

Visit the BITC website to read more and register your interest in taking part in an upcoming Climate Action Programme cohort.

The post SME businesses urged to start preparing for low carbon economy first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The new purpose-built ‘Tea Factory’ has allowed the company to immediately double its manufacturing and warehousing capacity, bolstering distribution and allowing for continued growth and expansion into 30 countries worldwide.

Turning 18 years old this year, SUKI TEA now has a dream, state-of-the-art factory to help the team continue delivering excellence for its wide customer base. The new factory provides the perfect creative space for innovation in blending and recipe creation, and a dedicated tea-rista training room for all customers.

The new factory move will also assist SUKI in its goals for net zero carbon, leading the way for a cleaner future for its business. In line with SUKI TEA’s mission to be an ethical and sustainable organisation, the new factory has allowed the business to reduce its Scope 2 emissions down to zero, superseding its environmental target to reduce the business’ emissions by 50% by 2030.

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

The new facility, which was built in collaboration with a team of sustainability and heating experts from Invest Northern Ireland, is powered by 100% renewable energy sources including a 10kW Solar PV system. LED sensor lighting and PIR controls are installed throughout, along with large windows for maximised used of daylight and recycling of key waste streams.

Speaking on the importance of building a new environmentally conscious facility, SUKI TEA co-founder, Annie Irwin said: “As a long-term supporter of Fairtrade and a committed Real Living Wage Employer, it’s really important to us as a business that we operate day-to-day in as ethical and sustainable a way as possible.

“Over the years, this has included championing several business initiatives and strategy creation, taking the CLIMATE ACTION PLEDGE laid out by Business In The Community NI, and being named ‘Top Performing Small Business’ at the 2021 Environmental Benchmarking Awards.

“In 2019, we set ourselves a number of environmental targets and we’re thrilled to say that moving to our new Tea Factory this spring has brought us another step closer to achieving these by eliminating our Scope 2 emissions seven years ahead of schedule. The new move is an important step in our commitment to sustainability and the environment, and we are proud to be leading the way in the tea industry.”

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

SUKI TEA, which was formed from friendship between founders, Annie and Oscar in 2005 in Belfast, has grown to be a leading loose leaf tea brand supplying thousands of hotels, cafes and delis across the UK, Ireland and further afield. With the new factory opening, the business expects to increase its production capacity by over 600% over the next decade, creating employment in many areas of the business for the continued market expansion.

As part of the investment, and in line with the business’ own development, SUKI TEA has also offered employees additional specialised training and development opportunities.

Commenting on the future of the business, co-founder Oscar Woolley said: “As we celebrate our 18th year in business, this new premises is a fantastic opportunity for SUKI to continue to grow. Moving from three business units to one purpose-built factory allows us to make our production processes and logistics more efficient, expand our product offering and create new jobs.

“Our mission has always been to create a community of loose-leaf tea drinkers across the globe, and we’re pleased that with continued investment into our facilities, our equipment and our team, we can remain at the forefront of the loose-leaf tea industry in the UK, Ireland and around the world.

“A special thanks must also go to all our customers and partners whose loyalty and support has brought us to this momentous step in our journey. What started as an idea between friends has grown beyond our wildest dreams – and we’re raising a cup to everyone who has got us here!”

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