Net Zero Matters network goes from strength to strength

A networking group designed to champion the necessary changes to halt the climate crisis within the business community has grown rapidly within less than a year of launch, attracting the interest of over 60 members.

Net Zero Matters was piloted during the summer of 2020. originally known as the Green Recovery Action Network, its aim is to support fresh thinking and positive action by businesses in the North of England working towards a green recovery.

Centre-staging climate action to build back better and greener from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the network rapidly grew its membership to over 90 businesses and has kick-started a number of projects and trading within the group.

Nigel Stansbie, a practising vet with a keen interest in ecology, joined the group three months ago and has already formed a collaborative project with the team at Climate Action North. He said: “Alongside climate change, my main concern for the UK and the world is the serious decline in the biodiversity of our natural environment.

“In an effort to use my skills and knowledge to do something about this, I contacted the team at Climate Action North who invited me to join. It was inspiring and motivating to see how many like-minded people and businesses there are in my local area and to hear about how they are using their diverse range of skills and expertise to mitigate the impact of climate change.

“As a direct result of these meetings, I am now involved in some exciting education projects teaching community groups about the natural world around them, how this links to the changing climate and how they can improve biodiversity and take climate action in their local area.”

The network currently meets virtually once a month for informal online networking sessions and discussions to generate sustainable and innovative collaboration and ideas; and to take positive action to tackle the challenges the climate and ecological crisis brings.

Sharon Lashley, Managing Director for Climate Action North, said: “The network really has gone from strength to strength in a short space of time demonstrating that there is a sense of real interest within our business community to share experiences and ideas, take responsibility, and accelerate climate action.”

Anyone who works for or owns a business that is interested in making connections, sharing ideas, and working collaboratively on green recovery tangible solutions, in step with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can join the network for free.

Sharon concluded: “We’re determined to continue to champion the necessary changes to halt the climate crisis and we appreciate that achieving this ambition requires collective and appropriate action. We know that business relationships are built on trust, reciprocity, and a genuine commitment to caring and doing business with each other and this is exactly what this network offers.”

There is also a group on LinkedIn or members to continue discussions and work in between meetings. Join the group here.

The time for talking is over, today we need to act.