Climate Action North celebrates Social Enterprise Day

Thursday 16 November is Social Enterprise Day, a global event celebrating the incredible contribution social enterprises make to communities and the environment across the world.

Social enterprises are businesses that work to achieve positive social or environmental impact. They are primarily driven by a desire to make a positive difference in the world.

As a member of Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) since 2020, Climate Action North is dedicated to making climate change real for people and make taking climate action easier. Read the Climate Action North case study in SEUK’s State of Social Enterprise North East.

It’s one of more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing an estimated £60bn annually to the economy.

SEUK states 34 percent of social enterprises in North East England are already addressing the urgent need to tackle the climate emergency.

And around a further third plan on doing so, which demonstrates a willingness from social enterprises to be held to account for their actions.

But where does a business start when it comes to taking meaningful action on the climate crisis?

At the core of Climate Action North is a desire to offer simple actions that empower people and organisations to do their bit to ensure a sustainable future and achieve a Just Transition in the North of England.

The Climate Action Business Action Toolkit is just one service that specifically supports small enterprises to get the support and guidance they need to embed positive environmental actions into their operations.

Based on a series of questions, the toolkit helps navigate the journey towards net zero and identify climate-related issues such as risks from severe weather events, skills shortage, and supply chain issues. Tailored support is then given, based on answers.

Climate Action North is also lead coordinator for the Rewilding Network in the North of England. It is supported by charity, Rewilding Britain, which champions rewilding and the restoration of ecosystems so nature can take care of itself.

The Rewilding Network supports the growing movement of rewilding land and sea practitioners across the North of England. It removes barriers to rewilding projects, whether in the early planning stages or want to move a project one step wilder.

The Pollinator Parks Programme, supported by social enterprise North East BIC, aims to rewild 30 percent of business parks in the North of England by 2030 by planting native ‘pollinator-friendly’ wildflowers to grow the insect population and increase biodiversity.

Climate Action North Managing Director, Sharon Lashley, said: “We share SEUK’s vision is of a more equal society and to create a fairer world and protect the planet. As a long-standing member, we are part of the world’s largest network of businesses with a social purpose helping to create a fairer economy and a more sustainable future for everyone.”

Other climate action initiatives include: Net Zero Matters, a supportive networking groups for businesses to access climate solutions and support; a climate action training academy offering a suite of CPD-accredited courses; Global Wilders® education activities focused on people, places, plants and animals to restore nature and conserve biodiversity; and North East Action 4 Rivers focusing on cleaning up rivers in the region.

CEO Peter Holbrook said: “Social Enterprise Day is a celebration of the great work social enterprises up and down the country are doing to protect our environment and support communities in need. Where we spend our money can make change happen, and with social enterprises, you can be sure that your purchase will make a real difference.”

Like all businesses social enterprises seek to deliver profit by trading in goods or services, but they reinvest or donate at least half of those profits to their social or environmental mission.

Climate Action North reinvests all funds raised into climate action projects across the North of England. To learn more about sponsorship, email info@climateactionnortheast.org.uk

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