The transition to HVO biofuel for its larger vehicles underscores Thorlux’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while waiting for electric or alternative fuel options to become widely available.

HVO biofuel, derived from vegetable oils and waste biomass, offers a lower-carbon alternative to conventional diesel. Unlike fossil fuels, which release carbon stored underground, HVO’s carbon emissions are effectively balanced by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the biomass used in its production. This makes it a renewable and more sustainable fuel choice. Based on figures from the UK government, switching to HVO will yield a reduction in Thorlux emissions of up to 90% compared to previous diesel vehicles.

Importantly, the HVO is purchased from members of the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme (RFAS) to ensure it is only made from responsibly sourced waste materials.
By investing in a low-emission fleet today, Thorlux is making an immediate impact in the fight against climate change.

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It has been named a finalist in the Nature Positive category of the Green Gown Awards for improving natural habitats and increasing the variety of animals and plants across its campuses, work which spans the past 15 years.

Dr Kate Ashbrook, Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences at the University of Worcester and chair of the University’s Biodiversity Steering Group, said: “As a university, we are always striving to make a difference both in our teaching and research, but also in other ways, particularly our commitment to sustainability. Whether that’s by equipping students with the knowledge to make a positive impact or leading by example through our own sustainability initiatives, this work matters.

“Our biodiversity programme has transformed University land into green infrastructure. Today, over 10 per cent of our campus grounds are managed for conservation, supporting air quality and providing vital habitats for declining species, such as invertebrates and birds. It’s great to see these efforts recognised.”

The Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives by universities and colleges. The Nature Positive category recognises institutions actively promoting nature through their operations, teaching, research and in partnership with local communities. Winners will be announced in November.

Biodiversity has been a strategic priority at the University of Worcester since 2009. Initiatives include sowing wildflower meadows and planting woodland flora on campus. The University was an inaugural signatory to the global Nature Positive Universities Alliance, pledging in 2022 to promote nature on its campuses, in its supply chains and within its cities and communities, with actions including setting targets and monitoring progress.

A key project saw the University working with the RSPB Worcester & Malvern group in 2021 to transform three hectares of former sports fields at the University’s Lakeside Campus into a rich habitat for farmland birds, by rewilding grassland and sowing winter birdseed crops. This site now supports red-listed farmland birds such as linnets, with monthly surveys showing increased abundance. Earlier this year, volunteers planted a further 450 metres of hedgerow, incorporating traditional fruit tree species, to enhance the site and provide shelter for the birds.

Numerous bird and bat boxes have been installed, most recently a series of swift nest boxes at the City Campus halls of residence in March this year.

The University also launched the Campus Conservation Crew, a volunteer group made up of students, staff and members of the local community working together on practical conservation tasks across the campuses. In 2024, it introduced an iNaturalist biodiversity recording project, which has improved biological monitoring and increased awareness of campus biodiversity.

The University has a long-standing record on sustainability and was awarded Sustainability Institution of the Year at the 2019 Green Gown Awards, going on to be Globally Highly Commended at the International Green Gown Awards, at the United Nations in New York.

The University has been consistently ranked among the most sustainable institutions in the Country for more than a decade by the People and Planet League. In 2018, it became one of the first universities to sign the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Accord, pledging to work towards a more sustainable future. The University was also among the first to declare a climate emergency, and to commit to a net-zero carbon target by 2030 for both direct and indirect carbon emissions.

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The newly installed system includes:

176kW solar array

386kWh battery storage system

But the numbers only tell part of the story. Every year, this system is projected to:

Offset CO2 emissions equivalent to planting 2,700+ trees

Reduce emissions comparable to driving 220,000+ miles

Or flying over 450,000 air miles

Save more than £50,000 annually in electricity costs

We are now powering our operations with clean, renewable energy—cutting its carbon footprint, reducing energy costs, and decreasing reliance on the national grid.

The system is powered by Fox ESS, featuring a 30kW hybrid inverter designed for high efficiency, scalability, and long-term commercial performance.

GTAccess Ltd continues to lead by example, combining innovation with responsibility—proving that sustainability and smart business go hand in hand.

Special thanks to Fox ESS and the MJ Wallace team for bringing this ambitious project to life.

Sources:
Tree Planting Equivalent – One Tree Planted
Car Miles Equivalent – UK Government Greenhouse Gas Reporting
Energy Savings Estimate – Energy Saving Trust
CO2 Emission Reduction – Carbon Trust

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ONE was named a “Sustainability Champion” at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2025, held from 20–22 May at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock in Leeds. ONE was an exhibitor at the forum which welcomed thousands of attendees across the public and private sectors.

Later that week (23rd May), ONE received the Property & Construction Award at the West Midlands Sustainability Excellence Awards, due to the company’s commitment to sustainable operations and environmentally responsible design for clients.

This recognition aligns with ONE’s bold vision of: “Creating a better world through design, sustainability and innovation”. The company is committed in their own journey to Net Zero while enabling clients to achieve their goals through sustainable design practices, with inhouse sustainability experts including Low Carbon Consultants and Passive House Designers.

Mark Martin, Chairman of ONE, commented: “We are proud to be a Certified B Corp, which demonstrates our adherence to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.”

“Sustainability is at the heart of our company’s ethos. Receiving these honours is immensely rewarding, and we remain focused in our journey to Net Zero, driving environmental benefit and delivering added value for our clients to achieve their sustainability goals.”

ONE is celebrating 50 years in business during 2025 and has offices in Worcester, Birmingham, Cardiff and London. Their inhouse multi-disciplinary team has been recognised in many industry awards and includes: masterplanning, architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, civil & structural engineering, building services, digital estates and smart assets consultancy, all working together at the forefront of Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Further information about ONE can be found here: www.oneltd.com

Photo: ONE’s Directors with recent awards (L- R) Jason Whittall, Abz Randera, Gavin Vickers, Craig Walding, James Lawrence, Mark Martin (Chairman) and Matt Tebbatt (Managing Director).

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The IMI Fellowship is the organisation’s highest accolade, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation within the automotive sector. Simon’s work in advancing hydrogen-based solutions, particularly through championing Enginius, a pioneering hydrogen-powered truck brand in the UK, has played a significant role in supporting the country’s transition to a zero-emission transport future.

The award was presented in front of FAUN Zoeller UK’s Bluepower Hydrogen truck, Enginius, at South & City College Birmingham’s new Hydrogen Workshop, a setting that highlights the growing importance of hydrogen technology in the sector.

Michelle Barrett BA (Hons) MIMI of the IMI commented; “I was honoured to present Simon Hyde, CEO of FAUN Zoeller UK, with his Fellow Membership and his Certificated Automotive Engineer recognition from the IMI in front of their Bluepower Hydrogen truck, Enginius, at South & City College Birmingham’s new Hydrogen Workshop. Fellow Membership is the IMI’s highest accolade awarded to individuals and showcases Simon’s outstanding achievements within the automotive sector.”

The IMI serves as the home for automotive professionals, bringing together a community of over 100,000 members who share a passion for the industry. With a strong focus on professional development and expertise, the IMI Professional Register ensures that its members are recognised for their skills, knowledge, and commitment to driving the sector forward.

Reflecting on the honour, Simon Hyde said;“I am truly honoured to receive this Fellowship from the IMI. Hydrogen is playing a vital role in the journey to net zero, and this recognition is a testament to the incredible work being done at FAUN Zoeller UK. We are committed to delivering real-world hydrogen solutions that help decarbonise transport and industry, and I look forward to continuing to drive this forward.”

FAUN Zoeller UK continues to push the boundaries of hydrogen technology, demonstrating how hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles like Enginius can provide practical and scalable solutions for the transport industry.

The entire team at FAUN Zoeller UK congratulates Simon on this well-deserved recognition and remains dedicated to pioneering innovative, sustainable mobility solutions.

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Following the success of an initiative aimed at improving food supply for farmland birds on the University’s Lakeside Campus, which started in 2021, work is underway to create a hedgerow around the existing nature area on the Campus.

The aim of the 450m hedgerow is to increase biodiversity, creating an eco-system that will support a wide variety of species and ultimately supply birds with the food they need. It will also importantly provide shelter for the birds and a complementary habitat to the rough grass and birdseed crops already on site.

Volunteers from Worcester and Malvern RSPB, who are leading the project, and University students and staff (along with some limited volunteers) have now planted 450 native hedge plants, along with 36 hedge trees, including damson, birch and alder. The local RSPB group, in collaboration with University staff, won a grant through the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust Environmental Legacy Grant Scheme which covers the majority of the planting costs.

Rob Delahay, Lakeside Campus Manager for the University, said: “The University is always keen to work with the community and this project has shown what organisations working together can achieve, in this case for the benefit of the environment. We hope that this new project builds on the foundations this partnership has established in the last four years to help further increase biodiversity on the site and help more birds.”

The University and local RSPB group have been working together since 2021 when a food crop site was created at Lakeside Campus to address the decline in farmland birds such as corn bunting, skylark and yellowhammer.

Nick Skilbeck, leader of the Worcester and Malvern RSPB Group, said: “This is such a great partnership with a real positive impact on biodiversity.  In a few years this hedgerow will provide food and shelter for the wildlife that uses the three hectare nature area already created. The birds using the birdseed crop will use the hedge to shelter from the winter weather and from predators. Meanwhile I expect the hedge will really make a difference to the nesting bird species on site in the summer and it is likely that new species of birds will move into the site for this reason.”

RSPB volunteers have been monitoring the original initiative’s impact over the last four years with monthly surveys in the winter, while several student projects have been done on the site. The RSPB has now obtained funding to support this for a further three years and, through the RSPB schools project, children have done practical nature workshops on site.

“We have had big flocks of 300 or so linnets, along with other farmland birds in smaller numbers,” said Mr Skilbeck. “In addition to the farmland birds, predators have moved in. Barn owls regularly use the site, which we have video footage of, as well as kestrels, herons and buzzards. Our winter surveys have also revealed some rarer birds like whinchat, jack snipe, and peregrine and merlin falcons.”

This is one of a number of initiatives at Lakeside which also includes no-mow areas, bug hotels, hibernaculums (underground chambers for amphibians and reptiles in winter), and bat and bird boxes.

For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk

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Go Green Week, held in partnership with Worcester Students’ Union, will feature a host of events, from talks and practical workshops, as well as stalls and advice for those looking to make a difference and reduce their carbon footprint.

Running February 10-15, many community organisations are involved and the majority of events are open to the public alongside University staff and students. It has been running on campus for 15 years.

Director of Sustainability, Katy Boom, said: “We can all take steps to be more sustainable, even if it’s through small actions. This event is a chance for people to learn a bit more, have some fun, get free stuff and to meet others who are also interested in helping to make a more sustainable Worcester. We provide many of these activities throughout the year but through Go Green Week we’re concentrating them in a way which gives it added focus.”

Go Green Week is designed to help encourage behaviour change and raise awareness of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) by highlighting and encouraging sustainable living practices.

The week features re-use and recycling advice, free house plants and herbs, sustainable food samples, bird watching walks, Fairtrade activities, advice for people on making their home more sustainable, a chance to discuss the climate crisis, tree identification walk and a community litter pick.

This year there is a particular focus on crafting, with a chance for students and other contributors to add their mark to a sustainability themed banner made from donated materials, by sewing something onto it. There is also a repair café running on Saturday (February 15), 11.30am-2pm, which includes clothing repairs.

There is also a chance to learn about the University’s new Sustainability Forum, which will be launched during Go Green Week. The Forum which welcomes input from students, staff and members of the community, aims to bring everyone together to help shape the future work of the University around sustainability.

Ms Boom said: “Our student population are potentially the future leaders and decision makers of the world. When they leave from here, when they go back home or go off and work in big companies they can take these lessons with them.

“We’re an institution that is all about knowledge sharing, and we’re happy to share what we know and to facilitate other specialist organisations working in this space, getting an opportunity to demonstrate what they do and get more volunteers and support them in their work.”

For more information on Go Green Week visit our online sustainability magazine, SusThingsOut: https://susthingsout.com/go-green-week-at-worcester/.

For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk

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Being a micro business means our direct impact on the environment is low. But we support many businesses across the West Midlands with marketing, brand and web development, which represents a far wider scope of influence. So as an obvious starting point we want to support our clients with being more responsible about how the market to current and new clients.

Support from Aston University

Our first step towards this is to get our own house in order, and understand our own impact and how we can support our clients make positive changes. During 2024 we attended the Aston University Green Advantage programme and became members of Sustainability West Midlands. As a result, we’ve been able to start recording what’s going well and where improvements can be made. We’ve been monitoring any changes we’ve made and attempting to record how much carbon we produce.

David Wilson, creative partner and member of Sterling Birmingham Central, Breakfast commented: “When we started looking at the things we had changed, we felt proud that it is possible to have a positive impact. We often try to talk to our clients about how they print marketing materials, how they are using other marketing collateral and how they could change or improve that.”
As a result of working with Aston University we’ve starting using a platform called Zellar that records and prompts our actions: we’ve also set out a sustainability road map.
Setting goals

On our journey we hope we can work with likeminded organisations helping to communicate, through their brand and marketing, important issues such as the climate challenge.

Glued is based in Warwickshire and Worcestershire and helps organisations with clear and honest marketing to connect them with the customers they deserve.

You can find out more about our sustainability journey at: https://www.gluedlimited.co.uk/zellar-score/

For more information about Glued contact David Wilson: 0777 900 3818 davidwilson@gluedlimited.co.uk

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The family run company has been dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of their surroundings for many years, winning a succession of David Bellamy environmental awards for their work. For the past seven, the parks have used eco-friendly materials in order to build high quality decking & balustrades for their caravans & lodges.

A partnership with Ecodek will now result in all timber decking across their sites being replaced with composite materials provided by the North Lincolnshire company. Produced from sustainably-sourced wood fibres and recycled plastic, the materials are delivered directly to the on park workshops where the team builds and assembles the decks & balustrades on-site.

Additionally, Discover Parks takes advantage of Ecodek’s innovative Waste Buy Back service, returning any off-cuts for recycling straight back into the manufacturing process further supporting sustainability goals.

“We continually strive to make our parks as environmentally-friendly as possible,” said Mark Whittall, General Manager of Discover Parks. “Ecodek not only aligns perfectly with our green goals but is also a superior material to work with. It’s durable, rot-free, and easy to maintain, providing a premium finish that meets the high standards of our parks.”

Phil Marris, Managing Director at Ecodek said, “Discover Parks’ partnership with Ecodek reflects their ongoing efforts to lead by example in sustainable park management, combining luxury and environmental responsibility.”

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ATP Director Peter Turone stated: “ATP’s collaboration with Oakland International has been a real success delivering a wide variety of the premium fresh produce needed for Grubby’s food boxes, and is the result of teamwork, dedication, and a shared passion and vision to deliver excellence.”

During a recent visit to Valefresco Ltd., a major produce partner to ATP, the day was spent amongst crops where the aroma of fresh basil filled the air and served as a reminder of the importance of sustainable farming. Valefresco is a major supplier of green salads and vegetables such as pak choi, spinach, salad leaves, and herbs including fresh basil grown in water-efficient vertical farms. Grubby’s team was able to see firsthand the desire, commitment and enthusiasm driving British farming, witnessing the complete fresh produce process from farm to table.

Added Peter: “Farming, often passed down through the generations, comes with its own set of unique challenges, from Brexit to COVID-19, to increasingly unpredictable weather, yet despite these hurdles our growers remain resilient, producing exceptional crops that help us deliver quality time and time again for our customers. Here’s to many more years of ATP and Oakland International collaboration delivering incredible fresh produce to Grubby’s customers!”

Grubby’s team expressed how the farm visit had deepened their admiration for the effort behind each recipe box, appreciating the dedication of farmers, ATP, Oakland International, and the entire supply chain.

Martin Holden-White Founder and CEO of Grubby said: “A huge thanks to Oakland International whose relentless effort in refining packing operations has allowed us to deliver well over 100,000 boxes and approximately 500,000 meals. Their consistent ‘can-do’ attitude has allowed us to expand recipe choices and add additional delivery days. It’s great to work with a team that thrives on challenges and continues to raise the bar.

“Additionally, a special thanks to Peter and the ATP team for their role in building strong supplier relationships, adapting to new challenges, and ensuring that top-quality produce arrives in every Grubby box week after week. This commitment to quality and innovation is helping Grubby gear up for the busy seasons ahead, with exciting supplier partnerships in the making.”

Part of the Oakland International Group, Acorn Trade Partners (ATP) works with new and developing brands to reach the UK and Irish Retail food service, sourcing speciality fresh and frozen products from Europe, the UK and Ireland, and covers all major categories.

A Certified B Corporation business Oakland International is a total supply chain solutions specialist and a leader in direct to consumer, case consolidation, contract packing, storage and distribution, food tempering and brand development support for all types of food, servicing diverse markets across the UK and Ireland.

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