Welcome to our online Sustainability Knowledge Hub, where you can find practical guidance to help your business take meaningful climate action.
Join others businesses across Swindon who are already taking action to reduce their emissions.
No matter how small your organisation or what industry you’re in, your commitment could make a real difference.
Why take action?
As well as the obvious environmental reasons, there are many other potential benefits.
Many green actions pay for themselves. For example, data suggests that businesses can often make back the cost of insulating their buildings within just a year.
Acting on climate change can also make you more competitive. Greener businesses appeal to the growing number of consumers who care about the environment, and strong sustainability credentials are increasingly part of procurement requirements.
Taking sustainability seriously also helps attract new talent, especially younger employees, who want to work for organisations that share their values
Read on to find tools and information that can help you consider options on potential ways to make your business more sustainable.
This section is designed to help businesses make sense of the sustainability landscape by explaining the key concepts and themes you’re most likely to come across.
Decarbonisation
Decarbonisation is the removal or reduction of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere as a result of human activity. For a business, decarbonisation focuses on cutting the emissions produced through your organisation’s operations, supply chain and energy use. It could include switching to cleaner energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing waste.
For many organisations, decarbonisation is now an integral part of long‑term business planning, as it can help reduce costs, manage risks, and meet growing expectations from customers and investors.
Scope emissions
Understanding your emissions is the first step to reducing them. Emissions are grouped into Scope 1 to 3 emissions, which together should cover all the emissions your organisation is responsible for:
Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources you own or control
Examples include gas boilers, company vehicles, and on‑site fuel use
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the electricity, heat or steam you purchase
Examples include electricity used to power your building, lighting, and IT equipment
Scope 3: All other indirect emissions in your value chain
Examples include business travel, employee commuting and purchased goods and services
Scope 1 and 2 emissions are often the easiest for businesses to influence, as organisations have direct control over them and can take practical steps to reduce their impact. However, for most organisations, Scope 3 emissions make up the largest share of their carbon footprint, and this is often where the biggest opportunities lie.
The video below explores how your decisions, policies and procurement choices can help minimise Scope 3 emissions.
Energy efficiency
It is important not to underestimate the value of retrofitting existing buildings. Improving insulation, upgrading heating systems and using smarter building controls can significantly cut energy use and reduce emissions.
For many organisations, energy efficiency measures are also the most cost‑effective.
Fossil fuel phase out
The UK is gradually phasing out fossil fuels in favour of cleaner alternatives. This shift affects heating systems, fleet choices and long‑term investment decisions.
Planning ahead can help organisations avoid stranded assets and rising fuel costs.
The circular economy
The picture below shows the circular economy model. It focuses on reducing waste at every stage of a product’s life, including design, production, and transportation.
The aim is to minimise the extraction of raw materials and to generate as little waste as possible, keeping resources in use for longer and creating a more sustainable system overall.
Climate adaptation and resilience
Businesses need to prepare for the impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, flooding and supply chain disruption. Building resilience into operations, infrastructure and planning helps protect organisations from future risks.
Nature‑based solutions
As defined by the UN, nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature. These measures include tree planting, habitat creation, and sustainable drainage systems. Nature-based solutions often absorb carbon and improve resilience to climate impacts, and are increasingly being used by businesses.
Green subsidies
Green subsidies are financial incentives provided by the government to promote environmentally friendly practices, products and technologies. These can significantly reduce upfront costs and shorten payback periods. See the ‘Apply for a national financial support scheme’ section for details of the grants which are currently available.
Carbon pricing
Carbon pricing places a financial cost on emissions, encouraging organisations to reduce their footprint. While not all businesses are directly covered by carbon pricing schemes, many feel the effects through supply chains, procurement requirements and investor expectations.
Green energy and data centres
A data centre is a physical facility that organisations use to house their critical applications and data. Demand for digital services is growing, and with it the energy use of data centres. Many providers now offer renewable‑powered or energy‑efficient hosting options, helping organisations reduce their digital carbon footprint.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural sources that are continually replenished. These natural sources include sunlight, wind, rain and biomass. Unlike fossil fuels, these sources do not run out and produce far lower greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy technologies include solar panels, wind turbines, and bioenergy systems.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is emerging as a potential low‑carbon fuel for heavy industry and freight. While still developing, it may become an important part of the future energy mix.
Grid connections
As more organisations install solar panels, EV chargers and heat pumps, demand for grid connections is increasing. Early engagement with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) can help avoid delays and ensure your site has the capacity it needs for future growth.
Small changes can add up quickly. This section outlines some simple actions businesses in Swindon can take.
Although no two journeys towards sustainability look the same, there are a few things your organisation can start to consider to help you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions:
You can also explore other sustainability initiatives, for example, installing low-flow taps to reduce water use, composting food waste, or planting resilient trees or shrubs to make your outdoor spaces more climate resilient
Low-emission vehicles eligible for a plug-in grant. Some types of low-emission vehicles are eligible for a grant from the government, so that you can buy them more cheaply. You do not apply for the grant. The seller includes it as a discount in the purchase price.
Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for workplaces. Businesses can apply for support to help cover the cost of buying and installing electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints at their premises. The grant can fund up to 75% of the total cost, capped at £350 per socket and up to 40 sockets across all sites.
Cycle to Work Scheme. Employees give up some of their income (salary sacrifice), in return for hiring bikes and cycling equipment. Any size business can operate a cycle to work scheme.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to help replace fossil fuel heating with low carbon systems like heat pumps. It’s available for homes and business properties in England. You must own the property and be replacing an existing fossil fuel system.
Capital allowances claim scheme. You can claim enhanced capital allowances (a type of first year allowances) for buying energy and water-efficient equipment for your business. This includes some cars with low CO2 emissions, energy saving equipment, water saving equipment, gas, biogas and hydrogen refuelling equipment and new zero-emission goods vehicles. You can claim on your tax return
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). If your business generates renewable electricity, for example through solar panels, you may be able to earn money by exporting any unused electricity back to the grid. You apply directly to an energy supplier offering a SEG tariff, and you’ll be paid for every unit of electricity you export. To receive SEG payments, your renewable system must meet the scheme’s eligibility requirements.
Many banks have specialised loans that can be used specifically for green improvements such as installing renewable energy systems or improving energy efficiency.
Measuring your impact starts with understanding your carbon emissions. Begin by gathering data on your energy use, travel, waste and purchased goods, then categorise these into Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Using a recognised carbon calculator can help you convert this information into a clear footprint and identify your biggest emission “hotspots”. From there, you can set realistic reduction targets and track progress over time.
Where should I start?
Start small and focus on what you can measure easily. Begin by gathering simple information such as your energy bills, business travel records and waste data. This will give you a basic picture of your emissions and help you identify your biggest sources of impact. From there, choose one or two practical actions, like improving energy efficiency or reducing travel, and build gradually. You don’t need to do everything at once. Taking small, consistent steps is often the most effective way to make your business more sustainable.
What funding is available?
Detailed in the above section (‘Apply for a national financial support scheme’).
Can listed buildings make changes to reduce emissions?
Yes, but listed buildings often require additional consideration. Because they are protected for their historic or architectural value, certain changes (such as installing solar panels or altering the building fabric) may need listed building consent. Many low impact measures, however, are still possible, including upgrading lighting, or improving heating controls. If you’re unsure what is permitted, it’s best to seek early advice from the planning team, who can guide you on suitable options and any permissions required.
I have land that could be used for renewable energy projects. What should I do?
If you think your land may be suitable for renewable energy projects such as solar farms or wind turbines, the first step is to contact sustainability@swindon.gov.uk. Our team can discuss the opportunity with you, provide initial guidance, and direct your enquiry to the relevant colleagues in other departments so you can understand what’s possible and what the next steps might be.
Best practice case studies
RWE: Powering a Carbon Neutral Future from Swindon
As the UK’s largest power producer, RWE is a cornerstone of Swindon’s business community, with its UK headquarters based at Windmill Hill Business Park. The company is a global leader in renewable energy and plays a central role in the UK’s transition to net zero through its ambitious “Growing Green” strategy, which sets a target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
RWE’s impact is visible across the country. The company is investing heavily in both offshore and onshore wind, expanding the UK’s renewable energy capacity at scale. It is also pioneering new technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and green hydrogen, which are essential for decarbonising sectors that cannot easily electrify.
Projects like the Pembroke Net Zero Centre highlight RWE’s commitment to delivering reliable, “firm” low‑carbon power, ensuring energy security even when the wind isn’t blowing! At the same time, its research and development in hydrogen production is helping to lay the foundations for the decarbonisation of heavy industry across the UK.
RWE’s approach highlights how organisations in Swindon can play a meaningful role in the UK’s shift to low carbon energy by planning ahead and embracing new technologies.
Sinewave: Connecting the UK to Clean Energy
Based in the Elgin Industrial Estate, Sinewave is a home-grown Swindon success story and a vital enabler of the UK’s green infrastructure. The company is a specialist electrical engineering firm providing high and low voltage services to projects across the country.
Sinewave plays a crucial role in the UK’s transition to clean energy. It ensures that renewable energy projects, from large solar farms to major battery storage sites, can successfully connect to the national grid.
The company is also a leader in the e mobility revolution. Through its dedicated EV arm, Amplify, Sinewave designs and installs the critical charging infrastructure needed to support the shift to electric fleets across the UK.
Notably, Sinewave is the world’s only B Corp certified Independent Connections Provider (ICP). This means the company has been independently recognised for meeting high standards of environmental performance, social responsibility and ethical governance. It shows that strong values and commercial success can go hand in hand. In Sinewave’s case, it has helped set them apart from competitors.
By combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to social and environmental impact, Sinewave shows how Swindon based businesses are helping to build a smarter, cleaner energy system.
Decarbonisation framework
We adopted a Decarbonisation Framework in December 2025. The framework sets out goals and objectives to reduce emissions across both the Council and the wider borough. It provides a clear direction of travel for Swindon, helping us make steady progress towards our net zero goal. It also aims to benefit businesses, residents and local biodiversity, with themes that cover areas such as business, green spaces and health. More information is available through the download link.
Get inspired and inspire others
Has your organisation got any climate change success stories you want to share with other Swindon businesses to help inspire and motivate others?
