Firms flock to support kittiwake haven

A North East environmental initiative is giving local businesses the chance to support nature recovery projects while also working towards net-zero goals.

Newcastle-based Beacon House Events is one of the first companies to invest in the North East Carbon and Nature Marketplace, a scheme launched earlier this year by North East mayor Kim McGuinness. 

The event management company has contributed £2000 to projects along the River Tyne, including a proposed floating kittiwakery – an artificial nesting platform designed to help the region’s much-loved seabirds thrive.

Sarah Thackray, BeaconHouse Events founder and director, said: “Being a small business, the challenge is investing in something meaningful, something that makes a difference to the community and reflects our values. 

“By investing in projects via the Carbon and Nature Marketplace, we can generate impact closer to home and invest in projects that make a difference to our local customers and neighbours.

“We’ve always taken a local approach to sustainability, volunteering time to support projects and donating to organisations that have a genuine impact on our own communities. 

“It’s rewarding to get involved with local projects, and lots of businesses already do. 

“Now, with the Carbon and Nature Marketplace it’s a simple process to achieve impactful community outreach. 

“There is such a strong community of passionate SME’s in the North East, and together there is opportunity to tackle local issues, whilst limiting impact on the planet.”

Officials say the Nature Marketplace enables organisations to channel funding into biodiversity and carbon reduction projects across the region, from floating ecosystems on the Tyne to peatland restoration. 

They add that companies can also purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions, with more than 10,000 currently available.

Karen Clark, North Tyneside mayor and regional cabinet member for home to the green energy revolution, added: “We know that businesses across the North East are keen to play their part in reaching net0zero and we’re making it easier for them to do that.

“The North East Carbon and Nature Marketplace gives businesses the chance to support green projects right here in our region, from planting trees and restoring peatlands to creating new habitats for wildlife.

“Businesses can back retrofitting schemes to make homes more energy efficient, so we can cut bills for our residents while helping the environment.

“This work is central to our vision of a greener, fairer North East, one that leads the way in sustainable industries and creates good green jobs for the future.”

Supported by Net Zero North East England, the platform brings together local Government, business, education and community organisations to generate investment in environmentally positive projects. 

The initiative is designed not only to reduce carbon but also to support green jobs, improve housing, and boost regional biodiversity.

Recent purchases of carbon credits through the scheme will fund energy-saving upgrades to social housing across all seven North East local authority areas, including heating and insulation improvements. 

Delivered through social housing organisations working with HACT, the upgrades aim to cut bills and improve wellbeing for residents.

Overall, the Marketplace is seeking more than £11 million to support a range of projects, including community energy initiatives and forest regeneration.

Antoine Pellet, head of retrofit credits at HACT said funding from businesses is needed to accelerate sustainability projects in the region.

He added: “The marketplace enables businesses to take action and offset their emissions hyper-locally by purchasing credits and investing in projects like ours. 

“It is so easy to use, and you can see what you’re funding and the impact it has both with carbon emission reduction but also with positive social value delivered.

“Thanks to investment via the marketplace, we’re already making a difference, assisting with the delivery of retrofit projects across the region, making homes more energy efficient, and cheaper to heat and improving people’s lives. 

“But we need more businesses to follow suit, to enable us, and projects like ours to continue to make a difference.”

To find out more, see here. 

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