Low Carbon Mentorship Programme

In 2024/25 Groundwork were commissioned by Cheshire West & Chester Council to support a number of businesses in the region on their journey towards Net Zero.

The programme consisted of three core elements:

  • Grant support to businesses for low-carbon / decarbonisation projects
  • Funded decarbonisation audits and events providing specialist advice to support businesses progress towards Net Zero
  • Funded net-zero training and mentoring to support businesses to create their own Net Zero strategy

The Low Carbon Mentorship programme, designed and delivered by Groundwork, consisted of:

  • An in-person, 2-day IEMA ‘Pathways to Net Zero’ training course
  • On-site support visits to help apply learnings in real-world business settings
  • A series of expert-led webinars on key sustainability topics
  • Ongoing mentorship to guide them through their net-zero journey
  • Free membership to the Groundwork Sustainable Business network, offering additional resources and peer-learning opportunities

Earlier this month, participants from the Low Carbon Mentorship programme came together at Meridian House on Winsford Industrial Estate to celebrate their new skills and qualifications.

33 businesses participated in the programme, with all businesses creating a bespoke decarbonisation action plan as a result of their training and 31 businesses achieving the IEMA Pathways to Net Zero accreditation.

The initiative, alongside the grants programme, has demonstrated impressive results in helping companies transition to more sustainable operations.