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.
The Birmingham Energy Community
The Birmingham Energy Community is creating a new approach to local, renewable energy in the heart of the city.
With rising energy costs and increasing net-zero ambitions, businesses and property owners are looking for smarter, lower-carbon ways to power their operations. The Birmingham Energy Community connects local renewable energy generation with local energy users, helping to build a more resilient, sustainable city centre.
Working in partnership with ConsensusPower, Birmingham Colmore has established the Birmingham Energy Community as a Community Interest Company (CIC). Designed to operate for the benefit of its members and the wider community, the CIC reinvests value locally while supporting Birmingham’s transition to a cleaner energy future.
HOST
Host a community-backed renewable energy project on your site, helping to generate clean electricity and unlock the potential of underused rooftop space.
CONNECT
Connect to local renewable energy through our peer-to-peer (P2P) energy platform, providing access to locally generated, renewable electricity.
POWER
Power your Local Energy Community (LEC) with your existing generation assets, contributing to a shared energy network that benefits businesses and the wider community.
Whether you’re looking to host generation, connect to local renewable energy, or maximise the value of existing assets, the Birmingham Energy Community provides a practical route to reducing emissions, strengthening energy resilience, and supporting a greener Birmingham.
Businesses and landlords interested in the Birmingham Energy Community can register their interest via the ConsensusPower Expression of Interest form. There is no obligation at this stage.
Watch more about the Birmingham Energy Community below.
Useful Resources and Partners
Our ambition is to support every organisation within Birmingham Colmore by sharing tools, guidance and trusted connections.
The following organisations provide valuable guidance, data and support to help businesses strengthen their sustainability performance:
- WRAP – Business of Recycling: Practical tools and resources to improve waste and recycling practices https://businessofrecycling.wrap.ngo/
- Birmingham City Council – Route to Net Zero: Local authority insights and reporting on Birmingham’s journey to net zero https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/28568/route_to_net_zero_annual_repo
- Sustainability West Midlands: Regional sustainability expertise, events and business support rt_2023 https://www.sustainabilitywestmidlands.org.uk/
- Clean Air Day 2026: Small Changes, Big Impact for Colmore with downloadable resource: https://colmorelife.co.uk/clean-air-day-2026-small-changes-big-impact-for-colmore/
Green Tourism Certification
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:
- Demonstrating a clear commitment to sustainability
- Improving environmental and social performance
- Expert support through webinars and guidance
- A simple, online assessment process
- Clear evidence of sustainability practices for clients and stakeholders
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.
