ENTREPRENEURS COLLABORATE TO LAUNCH A NEW DIGITAL BUSINESS AROUND CLIMATE CHANGE

Introducing Action Net Zero Bristol

South West digital entrepreneur Liz Hutchings has joined forces with communication and engagement specialist Pamela Barbato to launch a new digital platform to support us all to live more sustainable lives.

Action Net Zero CIC, (Community Interest Company) Bristol, will launch online in the autumn using the behind-the-scenes digital structure pioneered by Liz’s company Total Guide to…which is now in its eighth year of business.

Liz said: “We’re so excited to play a part in Pam’s new venture which speaks to her core purpose of helping everybody live more sustainably by making action towards a net zero future, easy, fun and affordable. Her engagement platform will provide people and businesses living and working in one of the UK’s biggest cities with specific actions to be greener, showcasing green businesses they can work for, or buy from, and new innovations and developments within the city.

Pam said: “I’ve worked in sustainable marketing and communications with many brands including Viridor, EDF and the Wetlands Wildlife Trust (WWT), engaging business and the public on sustainable action. I have also worked closely with the pioneering green movement in Bristol, when I was integral to the brand and marketing activities development during 2015 when Bristol was awarded European Green Capital.

“We know lack of time, money or information stops people from being greener so I wanted to take some of the barriers away and make it tangible, positive, easy and fun whilst promoting all the great businesses that enable action towards a greener, net zero future. The platform will create a place where people can go to make positive choices that work for them, based on their net zero journey and in turn be inspired to see the positive impact that collectively Bristol is making.

“Knowing that engagement has to be collectively sustained; I’m passionate about creating a ‘hub’ that brings together organisations, business and community groups within a city or town; a digital platform that can be invested in and developed as the journey to net zero progresses. Thanks to Liz and her team, I’m now in the development stage of making this a reality.”

The Action Net Zero site will launch officially in the early autumn with Bristol as its first geographic area given the priority the city has placed on being net zero by 2030. The site will cover many areas of green focus and innovation including action on food, green jobs, business building back better, waste, transport and energy, keeping readers and viewers up to date and accessed to local relevant products and services. The hope is, over time, other city sites will be developed.

Over the coming weeks, Pam, who lives near Bath, will work with the Total Guide team to test and start to populate the new site.

“I’m so excited to be launching this project around Bristol and hope that the city’s various communities, groups and businesses will get on board and support it,” Pam said.

Total Guide to is a digital news, community and marketing platform which began in Swindon in 2012 and now has sites in Bristol, Bath, Reading, Poole and Manchester.

Back in 2012, Liz started her business from her basement flat in Bristol with her laptop. Over the next two years the team of eight are going to be looking to grow in terms of staff, website development/re-design, franchisees and strategic business partners such as franchise managers, social media influencers and videographers. For more information visit www.totalguideto.com