Sustainability
Helping businesses become more sustainable
The ‘Sustainable Business Initiative’ is a voluntary initiative set up within the Chamber of Commerce to deliver a vision: an island ecosystem where business, community and environment flourish together while punching above its weight in addressing the environmental crisis.
The SBI has built a community of sustainability champions who help each other with knowledge and training. From Green Finance to reducing your energy use, from better waste management to choosing the right ESG framework, we’re delivering a programme of training and a network of help. We’re all in this together.
Getting started is the biggest barrier
In a recent survey of over 100 Guernsey businesses, the no.1 barrier to being more sustainable was “not knowing where to start”. From large financial institutions to small operations the same issue comes up.
So, how do you get started?
It turns out that there are tried and tested ways to make your business more sustainable in a credible and transparent way. Follow these 3 steps:
- Decide to act. Change won’t occur until a decision is made that the business wants it to happen
- Appoint a sustainability champion. Things only get done when it’s someone’s job. Make it someone’s job.
- Apply an ESG framework. Signing up to an Environment Social & Governance framework that is appropriate to your sector will help you measure your impact now and help plan for change. It could give you an accreditation too.
How to get involved
The easiest way to get involved is to join our community on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and attend one of our talks or events which are free for all Guernsey Chamber of Commerce members.
If you have some relevant expertise or even a case study you can share that might help others, or if you have a question, please also get in touch direct by email to SBI.Guernsey@gmail.com.
Businesses Making a Difference
The Chamber of Commerce want to recognise and celebrate businesses that are genuinely putting people and planet at heart of their business. Those who are leading the charge, showing that’s its possible. We want to showcase these businesses to inspire others to join in, to be the change in the world we want to see. To help create a better, more sustainable, more positive future.
If you are interested in any of their initiatives and would like to know more about putting them into practice, please get in touch.
Leading the Way in Sustainable, People-Focused Business
Camp de Rêves (CdeR) is a family-run glampsite that has embedded sustainability and people-centric values into every aspect of its operations. Demonstrating that businesses can thrive while prioritising both employees and the environment, CdeR serves as an inspiration for others looking to adopt more ethical and sustainable practices.
Putting People First
CdeR fosters a workplace culture that values inclusivity, flexibility, and professional growth. Through transparent leadership and a commitment to fair pay, the business ensures job satisfaction and long-term retention. Employees benefit from paid parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and leadership opportunities, creating a supportive environment for career development. Training and professional development are actively encouraged, with team members receiving industry-specific education in digital marketing, sustainability, and nature conservation.
Beyond its internal workforce, CdeR plays an active role in the local community. The business supports local charities by donating linens and vouchers for fundraising events and collaborates with La Houguette School to educate children on sustainability and eco-conscious living.
A Business That Benefits the Planet
Sustainability is a fundamental principle at CdeR. The business minimises its environmental impact by utilising solar energy, borehole water, and energy-efficient appliances while maintaining a two-acre organic butterfly meadow to support local biodiversity. Circular economy practices are embraced through the repurposing of materials for its playground and the encouragement of waste reduction initiatives such as refillable products and shared beach items for guests.
Inspiring Change
Through its dedication to sustainability and people-first policies, CdeR has received multiple accolades, including three Floral Guernsey awards and a Customer Service Award. With a vision to lead the way in low-carbon, high-impact hospitality, CdeR proves that sustainable business practices can drive both success and positive change in the industry.
Healthspan: Leading the Way in People and Planet Initiatives
Healthspan is committed to helping people live long and healthy lives. This philosophy extends beyond its products and into its workplace culture, where inclusivity, professional development, work-life balance, and community engagement are prioritized. Additionally, the company is dedicated to environmental sustainability, implementing innovative solutions to reduce its impact on the planet.
People-Focused Initiatives
Healthspan fosters an inclusive environment that values diversity and equity. Recognising that a diverse workforce drives innovation, the company actively promotes a workplace culture where all employees feel respected and empowered. Several key initiatives support this commitment, including:
Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: Healthspan celebrates key cultural events such as International Women’s Day and provides informative talks to promote allyship and awareness. The company is also a proud supporter of Liberate’s Rainbow Mark, with employees participating in training sessions led by CEO Ellie Jones to enhance inclusivity.
- Transparent HR Practices: Three new HR platforms
have been introduced, including ‘Winningtemp,’ an engagement and wellbeing tool that allows employees to provide anonymous feedback to HR and senior leadership.
- Equal Pay and Flexible Working: Through a transparent benchmarking process Healthspan ensures pay parity based on role competency and responsibility. Flexible working arrangements are also offered to support a healthy work-life balance.
- Support for Women and Parents: Recognising the importance of family-friendly policies, the company has increased parental leave
- Professional Development: The in-house Management Development Programme
equips employees with leadership skills, fostering career growth within the organisation.
- Community Engagement: Healthspan actively contributes to the local community by supporting charities such as the Sunflower Project, Cardiac Action, and St. John Ambulance. Additionally, mentorship programs through the Youth Commission and internship placements for emerging talent further demonstrate the company’s commitment to community involvement.
Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives
Healthspan integrates sustainability into every aspect of its operations, ensuring that business success aligns with environmental responsibility. Key sustainability efforts include:
Renewable Energy Investments: Solar panels have been installed over the car park and bike garage, generating enough energy to power the office, charge electric vehicles, and store surplus power.
- Sustainable Commuting: Active travel is promoted through a secure bike garage with e-bike charging points and annual maintenance check-ups. The company van has also been replaced with an electric vehicle, powered by solar energy.
- Energy Efficiency: They have transitioned from oil-based heating to electric, installation of motion sensor LED lighting, and sourcing of company laptops and desktops from locally refurbished stock
- Circular Economy Practices: Reuse is encouraged through initiatives like the office ‘book stop swap shop’ and employee clothing swaps, with remaining items donated to charity.
Sustainable Product Innovations: The relaunch of ‘Kick-Start Caffeine Gum’ features biodegradable, plastic-free materials, and recycled board is used for flat-pack card packaging.
- Operational Efficiencies: By consolidating twin pack dispatches, 20g of carbon is saved per unit. The transition to fully recyclable jiffy bags and the implementation of an automated ‘pick wall’ in the UK warehouse reduce packaging waste by consolidating products into a single parcel.
Through these people-centric and sustainability-driven initiatives, Healthspan sets a benchmark for responsible business practices, ensuring a positive impact on both its workforce and the planet.
Championing Sustainability and People-First Business Practices
Levin Sources is a female-owned, -led, and -staffed certified B Corporation that operates within traditionally male-dominated sectors. Through a strong commitment to just and sustainable mineral value chains, Levin Sources is pioneering workplace inclusivity while making a tangible impact on environmental and social sustainability.
People-Centric Workplace
Levin Sources promotes a flexible and inclusive work culture. The majority of employees work part-time, with the option to work remotely, in-office, or in co-working spaces. This approach ensures employees with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or other personal commitments can balance their professional and personal lives effectively.
The company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee has implemented recruitment and grievance procedure improvements, while three employees have undergone Discrimination First Aid Training. Efforts to close the gender pay gap are ongoing, with discrepancies immediately addressed, and a gender commitment is publicly available.
Levin Sources plays a significant role in advocating for equity-seeking groups, including artisanal miners, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and indigenous communities. These efforts are embedded in the company’s methodologies for research, advisory services, policy advocacy, and training.
A strong learning culture is fostered through monthly ‘learning lounges,’ biweekly project meetings, and peer-support groups. Employees have access to mentoring, line manager support, and annual performance reviews focused on personal growth. Staff consultation processes ensure that employees feel valued and heard, reinforcing a culture of belonging.
Sustainability Leadership
Levin Sources has been at the forefront of environmental responsibility, becoming the first SME and mineral sector company to sign the Gucci CEO Carbon Challenge. The company has since implemented rigorous carbon accounting and reporting, assisting small-scale miners and women’s empowerment charities in developing their own carbon reports free of charge. In 2020, Levin Sources estimated and offset its historical emissions, donating over £6,000 to climate mitigation charities in the UK, DRC, and Guernsey.
The company’s expertise in biodiversity protection is extensive, having co-founded a World Bank-funded programme with WWF to research artisanal mining in protected areas. Levin Sources has conducted groundbreaking research on Forest-Smart Mining, contributing to global biodiversity goals and influencing multiple industry standards.
Levin Sources is a leader in circular economy advocacy, having presented at high-profile forums, including Africa’s largest mining conference, Chatham House, and the UN General Assembly. The company has led sustainability training for communities affected by mining and government representatives across multiple countries.
With a commitment to transparency, Levin Sources integrates environmental due diligence into all aspects of its work. The company was instrumental in drafting the OECD’s Handbook for Environmental Due Diligence in Minerals Value Chains, a global benchmark for sustainability practices in the mining industry.
For more information on Levin Sources’ impact, visit: www.levinsources.com.
Leading Sustainable and People-First Business Practices
Sure (Guernsey) Limited is dedicated to fostering a thriving workplace and pioneering sustainability initiatives that set a benchmark for responsible business practices. Through investment in people, career development opportunities, and meaningful environmental action, Sure is proving that a successful business can also be a force for positive change.
Empowering People and Careers
Sure has cultivated a culture that prioritises professional growth, employee well-being, and inclusivity. Its 1-1-1 Learning Pledge commits every employee to one hour of learning per week, contributing to a culture of development where over 70% of staff have remained with the company for more than five years. In 2023, 22% of employees celebrated over a decade with Sure.
The company’s Career Advancement initiatives have been instrumental in fostering internal mobility. The Fibre to the Property (FTTP) project alone has created 45 additional roles, with 75% recruited locally, and over 25% of those roles filled through secondment opportunities. As a result, one-third of seconded employees have progressed into management roles, reinforcing a culture of growth and opportunity.
Through the Sure Academy, Sure provides a structured, paid, two-year programme for school and college leavers. In Guernsey, 76% of participants have transitioned into permanent positions, equipping them with vital skills and a pathway into the telecoms industry.
A Commitment to Sustainability
Sure is leading the charge towards a greener future by systematically reducing its environmental impact. Partnering with FutureTracker, the company achieved a 27% reduction in its carbon footprint between 2021 and 2022, significantly outperforming the telecoms industry average.
Electricity consumption has decreased by 37% across Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man, thanks to investments in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) cooling systems and the installation of solar panels. Solar initiatives alone have cut CO2 emissions by 1.8 tonnes, with Castel Exchange generating enough solar energy to power a home for an entire year. Sure has also integrated Free Cooling Air Handling Units in its data centres, reducing energy consumption by 80% for 90% of the year.
Sure’s Green Team, established in 2022, comprises 14 employees dedicated to embedding sustainable practices within the organisation. With further solar installations planned into 2025 and the publication of its first environmental report, The Green Connection, Sure continues to drive impactful sustainability initiatives, setting an example for businesses across the Channel Islands and beyond.
For more on Sure’s sustainability initiatives, visit: Sure Sustainability Report – The Green Connection.