Our Services
Helping you to deliver a sustainable future
Sustainability South West is the independent Champion Body for sustainable development in the South West of England. Our work is informed by our cross-sector membership which includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Our president is Jonathon Porritt, former Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission.
In delivering our Mission to improve understanding and support action on sustainability we undertake a range of activities. As well as managing projects and campaigns and working to influence policy we can offer tailored advice and support to organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Our services include:
Sustainability Appraisals & Commentaries
Whether you’re developing a strategy, plan, policy or project or assessing your internal practice or service delivery Sustainability South West, drawing on its considerable experience, can provide clear recommendations against the region’s Sustainable Development Framework (the Sustainability Shaper) to maximise the benefits of sustainability for your organisation.
"Sustainability South West's comprehensive sustainability appraisal of the draft Regional Economic Strategy provided headline and detailed recommendations on improving the sustainability of the plan."
South West Regional Development Agency
Training Sessions & Workshops
Our interactive training sessions and workshops are tailored to your specific needs. We aim to demystify sustainable development, through simple language and engaging activities. Our workshops can address specific issues such as procurement, low carbon approaches or delivering genuinely sustainable communities and community strategies.
“Sustainability South West has been a major contributor to the South Somerset Sustainable Community Strategy, their presentations to working groups and insightful commentary on our working papers have
lifted the work up to a higher level.”
Cllr Paull Robathan – Chair, South Somerset Local Strategic Partnership
"Sustainability South West's workshop informed our members about sustainable development and improved their understanding of the regional and national context."
Exeter Local Strategic Partnership
NEW: Introduction to Sustainability half-day course
Sustainability South West offers a new CPD accredited half-day workshop that will:
• Demystify sustainability and provide you with a good understanding of the topic.
• Include a hands-on opportunity to undertake a basic sustainability appraisal of a project, strategy or decision-making process relevant to you.
• Provide a relaxed and supportive environment in which to explore sustainability issues and network with peers and sustainability practitioners.
Learning Outcomes:
The training will give participants a basic understanding of sustainability and sustainability principles relevant to all sectors and experience of how to appraise a project plan, strategy or decision-making process against sustainability principles. Follow up on-line support will be available to support participants implement their learning. Quotes from previous participants:
“I came away with a great understanding of principles and measures to assess sustainability”
“A eureka moment about a project I worked on”
“I can now take this tool and use it in all aspects of my project and
development work”
Participants will receive a Continuing Professional Development ‘certificate of attendance’.
Introduction to Sustainability course details are available here.
Bespoke Presentations & Events
We deliver bespoke presentations and events with a wealth of knowledge, expertise and speakers available through our extensive networks.
"Sustainability South West's excellent presentation on CSR and greening organisations was a valuable contribution to our sustainability module - our undergraduates thoroughly enjoyed it!"
Plymouth University
Recent work has included:
- Work with South West Tourism to inform a sustainability guidance note for Destination Management Organisations in the region
- An appraisal and workshops carried out with Plymouth City Council to embed sustainability into their Local Area Agreement
- An appraisal of Bristol City Council's 'Sustainable Community Strategy'
- An appraisal of Dorset County Council's draft 'Sustainable Community Strategy' including a workshop with council officers and local strategic partnership members
- A sustainability commentary on the delivery of South Gloucestershire Council's Local Area Agreement including a workshop with council officers and local strategic partnership members
- A sustainability commentary on Wiltshire County Council's draft 'Sustainable Community Strategy' including a presentation to the Local Strategic Partnership
- An appraisal of South Somerset District Council's 'Sustainable Community Strategy' including workshops with council offices and local strategic partnership members
- A review of sustainability themed award schemes in the region
- A sustainability appraisal of the South West Regional Development Agency's Directorate and Team Area Business Plans
- A sustainability appraisal of the draft Regional Economic Strategy
Please contact us to find out more about what we can offer.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.