Business in the Community

Business in the Community is a network of companies with the leadership to translate corporate values and commitment into mainstream management practice. These companies measure and report progress, illustrate the action being taken to improve the impact of their operations, products and services on society and work with other members who share common values. We have 800 member companies, including 80% of the FTSE100. We have 25 years experience of working on responsible business practice.

We help companies in three areas of climate change, resource efficiency and product stewardship through the following programmes:

• the May Day Network for collaborative action on climate change www.maydaycompany.org.uk
• the Environment Index, the UK’s leading self-assessed benchmark of corporate environmental management
• Beacon events which show case company good practice in a range of areas
• the Awards for Excellence which are the UK’s leading awards for corporate social responsibility and have three environmental categories. Enter online at www.bitc.org.uk/awards.

The May Day Network

The May Day Network on Climate Change has grown out of HRH the Prince of Wales’ Business Summit on Climate Change on May 1st 2007 where 1,200 business leaders made 5,500 pledges to mobilise their company, customers, employees and suppliers to reduce carbon emissions. The Network provides a forum for companies to share experiences and engage in collaborative action with others. All companies can sign up to be a May Day Company through our website.

May Day companies are asked to:

1. Make a measurable commitment to reduce your carbon footprint by adopting sustainable business practices through the organisation as suggested in the 10 pledges (see the website).

2. Report annually to The Prince of Wales through Business in the Community on the progress you are making against these. We will be following up with each company in time for the next May Day Summit on 1st May 2008.

Together is a partner of Business in the Community, and has assisted in the development of a shopping centre exhibition on climate change. Together companies are part of the May Day Network and are providing examples of how other companies can help reduce carbon emissions through their customers.

For more information please contact Lucy Varco mayday@bitc.org.uk or call 0207 566 8650.