Advice

If you have any general enquiries about sustainable tourism please contact sarah.howsen@marketingmanchester.com. If your enquiry is more specific please find below a range of useful links.

General Advice

Envirowise offers free independent advice to organisations looking to become more resource efficient and save money. Take a visit to Green Street, which consists of a hotel, restaurant, office and factory. In each building you will find a variety of hotspots containing tips on how to make that item more resource efficient. There are also a number of factsheets and posters for businesses in the hospitality sector.

NetRegs provides free environmental guidance for small businesses in the UK and advise how to comply with environmental legislation and protect the environment.

The Environment Agency is the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. They provide information on issues regarding land, air and water quality, which also includes waste management, conservation and recreation.

The Sustainable Tourism for Dummies publication is a handy guide for businesses of all sizes as a useful starting point and reference tool.

Energy

The Carbon Trust offers a range of services to help businesses cut costs, save carbon and gain a competitive edge. These include a carbon footprint tool, employee awareness campaign materials and expert advice.

The National Energy Foundation provides practical technical expertise to organisations looking to reduce their carbon emissions.

UK Energy Saving provides a wealth of information about conserving energy and related topics including renewable energy, alternative fuels, recycling and water saving as well as sections on Fairtrade and organic products.

Transport

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable travel charity that actively campaigns for sustainable transport. Sustrans provide up-to-date research and also work on innovative ways to combat current and future transport issues.

Transport for Greater Manchester advises on buses, trams and trains in the area and includes a handy journey planner tool.

Procurement

The Green Source Purchasing Guide is a comprehensive guide to sustainable procurement for the hospitality industry. Produced by the Considerate Hoteliers Association, the guide advises businesses how to select products and services to reduce their impact on the environment. The guide covers everything from food and beverages, cleaning materials, equipment such as linen, uniforms, electrical items and utilities.

Food

The Love Food Hate Waste campaign provides loads of ideas on how to reduce food waste and recipes for using up leftovers, which not only saves money but also benefits the environment.

Eat The Seasons provides UK seasonal food information and recipe ideas. Using seasonal local produce in your menus reduces the energy required to grow and transport the food and is usually more cost effective as you avoid paying a premium for food that has travelled further.

Big Barn connects businesses and consumers with local producers, in order to encourage local trade and reduce food miles.

Feeding Manchester to link up and promote businesses working towards a more sustainable food system and to provide information and discussion forums about sustainable food issues.

Events

Positive Impact aims to educate the event industry in sustainability through workshops and resources.

Manchester City Council's Sustainable Events page provides information about the Manchester Sustainable Event Charter, the Manchester Environmental Business Pledge and BS8901. There is also a handy Greening Your Events guide.

Grants and funding

The following organisations may be able to provide financial assistance if you are a business wishing to invest in energy-saving technology.

Carbon Trust Energy Efficiency Financing Scheme provides flexible financing options to all types of organisations seeking to lower their energy costs and make their operations more efficient.

Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme enables a business to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on investments in sustainable technologies and products.

Feed In Tariffs allow investment in small scale low carbon electricity, in return for a guaranteed payment for the electricity they generate.

Renewable Heat Incentive provides long-term financial support to renewable heat installations to encourage the uptake of renewable heat.

Aquafund can provide the cash, resources and expertise to enable businesses establish greater water efficiency.

Biffaward Biodiversity Grant scheme awards grants to community and environmental projects that protect and enhance biodiversity.