Business sustainability
Have goals to make your business more sustainable? Our South Downs, the free business network, can help you achieve them
Our South Downs, a new business network created by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA), aims to bring together businesses to protect the UK’s newest national park, and support them in becoming more sustainable in their practices. Free to join, the business network has already begun helping organisations based across the South Downs National Park area with its initiatives.
Our South Downs – what is it?
Our South Downs is a supportive network of businesses that are dedicated to building an economically alive South Downs National Park where nature can thrive. There are more than 8,000 businesses in the South Downs National Park which own or manage over 70% of the landscape, and provide jobs for over 54,000 people – Our South Downs wants to bring them together to share and develop their skills, learnings and resources, to strengthen the environmental, financial and social development of the National Park, and protect it for generations to come.
Our South Downs is free to join, and has two principle aims; to promote sustainability in business in and around the National Park, and to strengthen and shorten rural supply chains. As well as being a conduit for members to connect, share products and services, and join forces, it also provides access to a monthly newsletter with the resources, knowledge and support members need to achieve their environmental goals.
“We started Our South Downs to help make it easier, more profitable and more rewarding to run your business in a sustainable way. Naturally, we’re working on several ways to support our members to do exactly this, including developing our own certification scheme and sharing actionable steps to help make your business more sustainable today.”
What are the benefits of Our South Downs?
Access to the Green South Downs Sustainability Certification
Created by the South Downs National Park Authority in partnership with Green Tourism, the Green South Downs Sustainability Certification is a sustainability award programme for businesses based in or working in the South Downs National Park.
Open to any member of the free Our South Downs business network, Green South Downs helps businesses working in the tourism and visitor economy or land-based sectors to get recognition for the work they’re doing to become more sustainable – and helps them to go even further. The certification is based on Green Tourism’s industry-leading framework, and bases its assessment on three key pillars – People, Place and Plant. The award is presented as three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold, and businesses can display their award on their website, social media channels and marketing.
SME Climate Hub
Our South Downs shares the latest ways to make your business more sustainable. With access to a range of resources and organisations who can help you do this, Our South Downs supports you in your steps to creating a more sustainable future for your business in the South Downs National Park. One such resource is the UK Business Climate Change Hub – the SME Climate Hub is an initiative that aims to take climate action to the small and medium sized business community – to help them make small changes today that will protect the environment tomorrow.
The SME Climate Hub provides businesses with regular news and tips on how they can work towards Net Zero, and the opportunity to be a part of a global community. As well as these resources and tips, the Hub also includes a free carbon calculator to help you see the result of your efforts to go green.
Free initiatives to boost your business
The South Downs National Park Shared Identity
Free to use, the Shared Identity allows you and your business to use official graphics, fonts, photography of the South Downs National Park, and supports you with telling your story and that of the National Park.
Businesses, partners and communities are what makes the South Downs National Park what it is, and will form its future – and so by taking advantage of this free resource, you’re able to weave your voice into the identity of the National Park. You can use Shared Identity to enhance your website, messaging and brand, and show that you’re proud to be not just in, but a part of the National Park.
Dark Skies Welcome
A growing number of visitors want to experience the night skies of our National Park, and with the Dark Skies Welcome Scheme, your business can benefit.
Since 2016, the South Downs National Park has been the world’s 13th International Dark Sky Reserve, making a it an ideal place for dark skies activities such as stargazing, astrophotography, wildlife walks and nocturnal navigation – bringing an increased number of visitors to the park and surrounding areas. By joining the scheme and becoming involved with the several Dark Skies events through the year, your business can see a boost in footfall and visitors.
Cyclists and Walkers Welcome
The South Downs National Park is a huge destination for cyclists and walkers – and by getting involved in the Cyclists and Walkers Welcome scheme, your business can reach more people. All you have to do is register for Our South Downs for free, and say you’re a ‘Cyclist and Walkers Welcome business’ – and provide a warm welcome to your new visitors!
The opportunity to support the future of your local National Park
Businesses are a ‘Force for Good’ - and vital to the South Downs National Park right now, and in the future. Whatever industry you operate in, your business contributes to the National Park, and can help the South Downs National Park Trust achieve its goals to protect its landscape.
You can communicate to your customers and stakeholders how you’re dedicated to protecting the National Park, and how your support is making a real difference to everyone who lives, works and visits here - by getting involved in one of the new Protector or Guardian schemes!
The Protector and Guardian schemes, as well as providing a tangible difference to the projects in the National Park, also grant your business access to a range of extra benefits to take advantage of:
The South Downs Protector Scheme
By donating £10,000, your business can become an official Protector of the South Downs for a year - contributing to the South Downs Renaturing target of 13,000 hectares recovered for nature by 2030, demonstrating ESG commitments and securing deliverables that contribute to other accreditations such as B-Corp.
As a South Downs Protector, you’d also benefit from:
A 1 year subscription to Green South Downs Sustainability Certification Program, setting your business on a sustainable path.
2 Volunteering days per year.
Ranger Talk covering local habitats and “secret south down getaways” or a friends and family “Nature Identification session” (up to 20 people)
Communications tools with dedicated South Downs Protectors content profiling your support (Including a personalised film focussing on your business’ commitment to the South Downs for use in your own marketing)
Use of Seven Sisters County Park or the South Downs Centre Midhurst for corporate getaways (Max 2 days and can be combined with Volunteering).
Automatic Membership to the Our South Downs Business Network.
Find out how to become a South Downs Protector
The South Downs Guardian Scheme
By donating £1000, you’ll become an official Guardian of the South Downs for a year. You’ll be able to gain access to the unique South Downs Guardian 'Mark' for use on your own marketing and branding materials, and become listed on the South Downs Trust Website – helping you get recognised for your commitment to your local National Park.
