We love having Low Carbon Workspaces as a part of our Connect Reading community. Tom Macdonald, Project Officer, took some time to answer some questions and tell us a bit more about the organisation.
As a grant scheme, we offer grants to SMEs looking to reduce their carbon emissions through upgrades or installations of equipment. We operate across several LEP areas, and I manage the Berkshire branch of the project, interacting with organisations within the county, and processing applications submitted by Berkshire SMEs.
Why did you join Connect Reading?
To help “connect” with organisations across Reading like us, who understand the importance of CSR values, especially when it comes to environmental impacts.
What was your biggest challenge last year?
As with almost everybody, I think the pandemic has undoubtedly been the biggest challenge over the last year, although it does now seem that we are finally coming out the other side of this.
What have you learned over the past year?
That the vast number of businesses that we have worked alongside have had a great capacity for flexibility and resilience against awful circumstances. Additionally that even during the worst of circumstances, there are still organisations out there fully committed to reducing their environmental impacts.
What has been your biggest creative triumph as an organisation?
Since the pandemic hit, we have held online webinar events, including an event at the Reading Climate Festival last year. Being able to deliver an engaging event purely online was a great triumph, and one we hope to replicate again at this year’s festival.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
The upcoming COP26 summit is an event that we at Low Carbon Workspaces are very much anticipating. If the event is able to increase and solidify the global effort of tackling climate change and improve our environment then it will undoubtably be a historical event to remember.
How can people connect with you and support what you’re doing?
📧: info@lowcarbonworkspaces.co.uk
We’ll also be coming along to the next Connect Reading online networking event!