A sustainability programme which saw 59 Isle of Wight businesses complete more than 2,000 environmental actions in the past year has secured its future thanks to financial backing from local companies, including headline sponsor Veolia.
The Green Impact programme, which has operated on the Isle of Wight since 2018, will continue for another year following support from 10 sponsors, allowing businesses and organisations to access free resources to improve their environmental performance.
The announcement comes ahead of the relaunch of the Green Impact Toolkit, which will include updates incorporating the Isle of Wight’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
The programme encourages businesses, community groups, colleges and other organisations to take practical steps towards becoming more sustainable, while helping to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Participants can access a free toolkit containing more than 190 actions, ranging from everyday environmental improvements to wider measures supporting biodiversity and nature recovery.
Points are awarded for completing actions, with organisations working towards Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum awards.
During the 2025/26 programme, 59 businesses registered and a total of 2,042 sustainability actions were completed.
Qualifying businesses also had their submissions audited by students from the Isle of Wight College, who received specialist sustainability training to carry out the assessments.
Their achievements were celebrated at an awards ceremony in June, attended by Isle of Wight MPs Joe Robertson and Richard Quigley, where trophies were awarded according to the points earned.
The programme also supports the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status by encouraging organisations to protect the environment and make more sustainable choices.
Its continuation has been made possible through sponsorship from Veolia, Smart Training and Recruitment, Meaningful Planet, Luccombe Hotels, Gurit, PC Consultants, Yokogawa, Wight Environmental Ltd, Power Device UK Ltd and The Common Space CLG.
Amelie-Rose Owen, Community Wealth and Special Projects Officer at the Isle of Wight Council and Programme Manager of Green Impact Isle of Wight, has said:
“A huge thank you to our wonderful sponsors for enabling both the toolkit and programme relaunch to take place.
“Their support is helping organisations across the Island take practical action on sustainability, biodiversity and nature recovery, and we look forward to recognising their contribution at the event. We would not have been able to continue the programme without them.”
To mark the relaunch, a networking event will be held at Building 41 in Cowes on 13th November between 15:00-16:30.
The event will give organisations the opportunity to learn more about the updated toolkit, ask questions about the programme and find out how the Isle of Wight’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy is being incorporated.
Businesses and community organisations will also have the opportunity to network with others interested in improving sustainability across the Island.
The Green Impact programme remains free to join, with organisations encouraged to get involved and begin working towards their own environmental awards.
Those wishing to attend the relaunch event can register through the Isle of Wight Council’s online attendance form.
