Sustainable Colmore is a core project within Birmingham Colmore’s Accessible and Sustainable Working Group, supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact while creating a greener, more resilient District for the future.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) activity runs through every part of Birmingham Colmore’s work. From how people travel into and around the District, to how buildings are powered, and businesses are supported, Sustainable Colmore brings together practical initiatives, partnerships and resources to help levy-paying organisations take meaningful action.
2025 marked a significant milestone with the launch of an ambitious project to create a new solar energy system for central Birmingham.
Rising electricity costs, alongside increasing net-zero commitments, present a real opportunity for businesses and landlords to explore alternative, low-carbon energy solutions. By generating solar power in Birmingham, rooftops across the city centre can be transformed into local energy generators, helping to reduce energy costs while cutting carbon emissions.
Working in partnership with ConsensusPower, Birmingham Colmore have established the Birmingham Energy Community, set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC). As a CIC, the Energy Community is designed to operate for the benefit of its members and the wider community, reinvesting value locally while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
The Birmingham Energy Community enables businesses to access lower-cost, locally sourced, renewable electricity, strengthening financial resilience while contributing to a greener city centre.
Businesses and landlords interested in joining the Birmingham Energy Community can register their interest via the ConsensusPower Expression of Interest form. There is no obligation at this stage.
Welcome to the Cleaner Colmore zone — a space dedicated to helping businesses plan for a more sustainable future.
Our ambition is to support every organisation within Birmingham Colmore by sharing tools, guidance and trusted connections. Cleaner Colmore is structured around three key areas.
The following organisations provide valuable guidance, data and support to help businesses strengthen their sustainability performance:
A sector-leading partnership between West Midlands Growth Company and Green Tourism offers businesses the opportunity to achieve internationally recognised sustainability certification.
Eligible organisations can access Green Tourism or Green Meetings Certification, fully funded in Year One. Businesses choosing to continue beyond the first year benefit from preferential membership fees in years two and three.
Key benefits include:
Sustainable Colmore connects ambition with action helping to support businesses to reduce environmental impact, strengthen resilience and play an active role in Birmingham’s sustainable future.
