Business Sustainability
In 2020, Thame Town Council adopted a ‘Green Living Plan’ – a 10 year plan for a greener, cleaner Thame. Read more about it here. The plan has over 190 actions and in order to achieve them all will need engagement from the whole community – individuals, schools, community & voluntary groups, other layers of council and, of course, businesses. This engagement requires businesses to
- take steps towards sustainability within their own practices,
- explore whether or not they can reach out to support wider sustainability journey of Thame as a whole through involvement or sponsorship,
- promoting the action they are taking to encourage other businesses to take their own steps.
Thame Sustainability Champion Awards
To support local businesses and organisations to engage with the Green Living Plan, the Thame Sustainability Champion Awards were launched in March 2025.
The awards is designed to celebrate local businesses and organisations committed to sustainable practices – encouraging them to not only reduce their carbon footprint and inspire each other to adopt eco-friendly practices, but also to engage in action that will have a real impact locally.
To achieve this, the awards is structured around 5 events run throughout the year, each focused on a different element of the Green Living Plan – Water, Air, Energy, Waste and Biodiversity. Each event will provide information about internal action that can be taken by the business or organisations involved, with an opportunity to hear from local experts and organisations that can support them; to learn from each others experience and from those who have already taken action; and finally to understand the action they can take that will directly impact the environment in and around Thame.
This approach will foster a culture of collaboration and through it, create a greener, more sustainable future for the entire town. Our vision is that Thame will become a beacon of excellence for local sustainability practices that will inspire other towns to do the same.
All businesses and community groups and organisations are encourage to participate. Events will be run on a repeating basis, allowing you to start your own involvement at any time of year. The entry ‘Bronze’ award provides a level playing field for all businesses to get involved, whatever their size or resource – you can see the full details of what is expected below.
If there is any part of the detail you are not sure if you can achieve then get in contact, as we will aim to remove any barriers to stop you for taking part. Email becky.reid@thametowncouncil.gov.uk to sign up or for more information
To make sure that you dont miss out on any opportunities, sign up to Thame Town Councils Newsletter, or register your interest using the form below:
Sign up for info about Business Sustainability events
Local projects you can support with time or money
If you want to take action to mitigate climate change in the local community, then there are several organisation who can support this to happen. Either research the Environmental Groups listed here, or contact our Environmental Project Officer becky.reid@thametowncouncil.gov.uk who will be able to link you to the right organisation depending what sort of event you are looking for.
Who else can support you locally:
Take a look at what changes you could make or influence at work.
Whatever your job role you can make suggestions to reduce the environmental impact of the organisation you work for.
These changes could save money, improve efficiency and your working environment, and reduce emissions in Oxfordshire. It’s a win, win.
SODC’s Economic Development team provides businesses across the district with free and impartial support, advice and up-to-date business information.
21st Century Thame is a town-wide partnership, driven by a committed group of local volunteers (some representing local organisations), together with representatives of the Town and District Councils. At the moment they are running a ‘Business Spotlight’ feature – promoting what part local businesses are already doing to tackle climate change. If you want to be featured as part of this email them at admin@21stcenturythame.co.uk.
… and more to come.
Watch this space for more information as we get it.