Climate change strategy for 2025 to 2030 Aim 5: green economy

Aim 5: Support the expansion of the green economy

Things the council has already done: 

  • launched a climate change section in its business newsletter to keep subscribers up to date on upcoming challenges and opportunities
  • supported the Bracknell Business Improvement District (BID) in its initiatives to help its members reduce energy use and bills, including providing speakers for events

Key objectives

  1. Support businesses and organisations to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and move to low carbon technology, processes and practices.
  2. Provide businesses and organisations with the information and tools they need to act on climate change.
  3. Support businesses to access capital for green investments and remain competitive.
  4. Support the development of local infrastructure and buildings for green business.
  5. Support the development of skills needed for the green economy locally.
  6. Strengthen the circular economy locally.

Priority actions

H1. Explore incentives for businesses to act, such as business rates reductions.

H2. Create an advice service for businesses, and produce guides, toolkits and templates.

H3. Explore the development of a local climate pledge or accreditation for businesses.

H4. Explore targeted support, such as grants, trials of green options or joint procurement.

H5. Promote Bracknell Forest as a location for green business and support green start-ups.

H6. Support work experience, internships, apprenticeships and recruitment in the green economy and work with education providers to make sure suitable courses are available.

Embedding the principles

Co-benefits

These activities will also support:

  • inward investment - by helping Bracknell Forest raise its profile as a green business location
  • economy and employment - by harnessing opportunities from the net zero transition
  • innovation - by supporting and working with businesses at the forefront of the green economy, the council will be able to stay abreast of and respond to technological developments

Monitoring

We will monitor:

  • engagement with council communications and initiatives 
  • numbers of green businesses based in the borough 
  • numbers of green jobs
  • emissions from commerce, agriculture and industry