A rewilding project in Yorkshire is being supported by an investment fund. A serial entrepreneur has set up a nature-positive investment company in Scotland and a circular affordable housing company. There are signs that nature restoration is attracting investment. Broughton Estate in Yorkshire, under the direction of the 32nd generation owner Roger Tempest, have redeveloped […]
You want to shout about the good things your business does but you need to steer clear of vague claims or “impact washing”. Here’s how to communicate your impact (without greenwashing). There is a growing demand from customers, partners and regulators for transparency and trust is a competitive advantage even for a very small business. […]
Our drains were never designed to handle the levels of toxic waste we flush down the drain. They were designed in the 1800s before most of the toxic chemicals we use in our homes were even developed (Science Museum). Since then our use of chemicals has exploded – global chemical production has increased fifty fold […]
Looking out the window at the endless rainy skies of February it is hard to imagine that the UK is lacking in water. But it is, and the issue of water scarcity is going to increase as climate change takes effect. The UK government predicts that public water supplies will be short of 5 billion […]
We are pleased that Naturesave have renewed their sponsorship of the Blue Patch Learning sessions with Chartered Environmentalist Alice Doyle. Alice contributes a great deal to the discussions in our regular meetings and our community benefits from her valued advice. Naturesave Insurance are patrons of Blue Patch and have been a part of our community […]
It’s that time of year – we’re reviewing our business as you may also be doing. Here’s a quick recap of what we got up to this year: Naturesave funded Blue Patch’s online workshops this year. The lively zoom sessions were led by Chartered Environmentalist Alice C Doyle. Alice’s informal and creative drop-ins enabled members […]
The National Emergency Briefing – the first of its kind – was held at Westminster Central Hall on the 27th of November. At the event, ten of the UK’s leading experts spoke to an invite-only audience of politicians, leaders and the media. In the audience were Jane Langley, founder of Blue Patch, board members Mark […]
Regenerative farming is highly beneficial to the environment and projects like the Telfit Farm project are showing the way with natural inputs and diverse farming practices that improve soil health, water retention and biodiversity. What is regenerative farming? Regenerative farming is an agricultural approach to farming that aims to restore the soil, increase biodiversity and […]
Climate change is affecting food in the UK and beyond: from domestic farming to international supply chains. The effects of climate change can be seen in changeable weather, extreme storms, fires, cold and dry periods – these lead to poor harvests, rising prices and crop viability. 2025 saw England reap its second worst harvest (Energy […]
Why should we look for alternatives to L’Oréal & Unilever? What do they have in common? They’ve both been named as users of shark squalene in their products. Shark squalene is an oil from shark’s livers. It is hydrating and can relieve skin conditions like eczema with its anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory properties. But sharks are […]
As we head into the winter season in the UK, we need to think about the potential rainfall and the impact it can have on our homes. Are you at risk of flooding this winter? The National Assessment of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk (NaFRA) shows that 6.3 million properties in the UK are at […]
London Climate Action Week opened on June 23rd 2025. This marked the launch of the public consultation for the The UK SME Voluntary Emissions Standard by B4NZ and The Broadway Initiative. Blue Patch has joined this Government-funded taskforce and will participate in phase 2, working under the umbrella of Bankers 4 Net Zero. What has […]
Eco-warriors have long been lobbying against extraction of natural resources in the UK. Think back to Swampy, the tree-hugger in the 1990s who spent a week in tunnels attempting to stop the extension of the A30 before he was arrested. In 2019 he took part in an Extinction Rebellion protest at a fuel refinery in […]
It is World Bee Day today and naturally our minds are on nature and what it does for us – and all the reasons why we need to save nature for future generations. The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world – despite being a first world country with world […]
The UK loves coffee. Even more than tea (The Guardian). Sourcing sustainable and organic coffee is not easy amid disruptions to global supply chains from the effects of climate change. Source Climate Change Coffee has been importing organic coffee to the UK for more than a decade. Fix Our Food The current food system is […]
Ethica Diamonds have been developing a carbon negative standard for the past two years. The first lab grown diamond to be certified C-® Standard was donated to the Born Free Foundation. It was raffled as a ‘Diamond in a Glass’ at the Footsteps for Freedom gala, alongside a luxury pendant necklace. The necklace was designed […]
The UK needs clean energy growth but planning permission for renewable energy projects is long and complex. Repowering provides an opportunity for renewable growth using existing sites. What is repowering? Repowering happens when a power project is modernised (BMWK). For example when an older model wind turbine is upgraded or (retrofitted) replaced with a new […]
Waste – a messy issue Blue Patch‘s monthly drop-In workshops ‘Sharing and Solving Challenges Together’ provide sustainability workshops for small business. Members of Blue Patch’s Sustainable Business Community are always keen to further reduce their environmental impact. The workshops are funded by The Naturesave Trust as part of their Making Business Greener Campaign. The aim […]
Carpets can be made from man-made or natural fibres. There are a number of reasons that natural fibres like wool carpet are preferable for sustainability over man-made fibres. These include recyclability, renewability and making your home more eco-friendly by reducing VOCs and improving insulation. The UK incinerates 130,000 tonnes of carpet waste a year. The […]
Most of us get our hair cut regularly. It is a part of everyday life we might not even think of when we consider sustainability, but hair salon waste is a big issue in the UK. For example, what do they do with all of that hair they cut off? “Hair salons are one of […]
Making a flood plan for your business if you are in an area at risk of flooding makes good business sense. The damage caused by floods is significant and can have an enormous impact on your business. More businesses than ever are at risk of flooding due to climate change. Flood damage to business properties […]
Join our interactive workshop to learn how to protect your business and home from flooding! Are you ready for a flood? Wednesday 18th September 10am-1pm Half Moon Pub workshop 10, Half Moon Lane SE24 9HU Here in the UK extreme rainfall may lead to floods. Increased rainfall is recognised as the main climate change risk […]
Shearing time in the UK is over for most farmers. Unfortunately for them, shearing sheep for their fleeces is not a profitable exercise and huge quantities of waste wool are destroyed. Sustainable rope is one potential use for fleece wool from hill and mountain breeds which would otherwise go to waste. 35,000 British farmers produce […]
Businesses in the UK generated 28 million tonnes of commercial waste and 12.4 million tonnes of industrial waste in 2020 (Gov UK). This figure only includes the ‘received’ tonnage at recycling and waste facilities. Commercial waste includes paper and packaging waste, office furniture and electronics, food waste, raw material and textile waste, retail waste like […]
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