The Growth Company shortlisted for edie Net Zero Awards

• The Growth Company’s employment team has been nominated for a Just Transition to Net Zero award.
• The edie Net-Zero Awards recognise and reward the individuals and organisations that are leading on the move towards towards a more sustainable economy. 
• Comments from Director of Employment, Michelle Leeson.

The Growth Company Employment has been shortlisted for the Just Transition to Net Zero award at this year’s edie Net Zero Awards.

The edie Net-Zero Awards recognise and reward the individuals and organisations that are spearheading the transition towards a net-zero carbon economy.

The Just Transition to Net Zero award celebrates organisations that are championing and embedding social sustainability into decabonisation projects.

Transforming the Way We Work

The Growth Company has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and how it is leading the way through its innovative approach to reducing the employment business unit’s carbon footprint whilst also positively impacting communities.

Michelle Leeson, Director of Employment at the Growth Company, said: “The Growth Company is committed to reaching net zero by 2035, ahead of the UK government's national target.

"To make sure that we meet this goal, we are transforming the way that we work, from making small everyday changes to implementing big sustainability initiatives such as carbon literacy training and our network of green champions.

"In the end, it's not just about reducing our own carbon footprint – we aim to support our partners, stakeholders, and participants in cutting theirs, too.

"We're thrilled and honoured to be nominated for this edie Award because it recognises both the progress we've made and our long-term vision.”

The Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 29 November at Convene, London.

Glossary of Terms

The language of sustainability can be confusing, so we’ve put together a handy list of definitions to help you make sense of it.

Carbon emissions: When gases are released into the air from activities like burning fossil fuels for energy. The phrase is sometimes used as a shorthand to describe all greenhouse gases.

Carbon footprint: A measure of greenhouse gas emissions over a given period. Footprints are expressed in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e). (The Growth Company's carbon footprint for 2022/23 was 7,173 tCO2e).

Carbon literacy: Awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions. (The Growth Company launched a carbon literacy training programme in 2023).

Environmental sustainability: The ability to maintain an ecological balance in the natural environment and conserve natural resources to support the wellbeing of current and future generations.

Greenhouse gases: Gases in the earth's atmosphere that trap heat and have the effect of warming planet’s surface. These include: Carbon dioxide (CO2); Methane (CH4); Nitrous oxide (N20); Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6).

Net zero: A target of negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity, to be achieved by reducing emissions and implementing methods of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (In February 2022, The Growth Company updated its commitment to becoming Net Zero across scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2035). 

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a mission to generate growth, create jobs, and improve lives.

We help people and businesses across the UK to develop, grow and succeed through a range of employment, skills and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Contact us today to find out more.