MORE than thirty local business leaders gathered at Henley Business School to confront the growing financial and operational risks of climate change – and to start acting on them.
Greener Henley brought together a group of forward-thinking Henley businesses for an event titled, Weathering the Storm: Rethinking Business for Climate Resilience.
The focussed, solutions-driven workshop was hosted by the Greener Henley Business Group.
Chaired by sustainability leader Amy Clarke, it featured local leaders from different sectors: hospitality, care, property, food, and independent services, who are already experiencing the real-world impacts of increasingly unpredictable weather and climate disruption on their businesses.
Mark Dunlop, landlord of The Angel on the Bridge, spoke about growing flood pressures on riverside businesses, while Jonathan Hobbs, managing director of Hobbs of Henley, described how changing river conditions are affecting operations and costs.
Ellie Faramarzian, general manager at Henley Manor Luxury Care Home, outlined the challenges extreme heat poses to vulnerable residents.
Peter Hopkins, partner at Mercers Solicitors, a sponsor of the event, said: “This was another superbly organised event by Greener Henley, with a panel of local business owners sharing the effect of climate impacts, including flooding, on their businesses – a real wake up call for everyone in the town as we collaborate together at solutions for adaptation.”
The event made clear that businesses which fail to adapt risk being left behind.
Those taking visible action are increasingly attractive to customers, employees and investors.
Several attendees also noted that climate disruption often triggers rapid reductions in energy use, showing how adaptation and cutting carbon emissions can go hand in hand.
Emma Vanstone-Booth, director of Philip Booth Esq estate agents, said: “Buyers are educating themselves about the environment, and we are already seeing changes to their behaviour in the property market.
“More concerns are certainly being raised about river and surface water flood risk, particularly regarding the challenges of owning riverside properties.”
She said there is growing impetus behind homeowner preparation for adverse weather events including flash flooding, drought and wildfires, and greater demand for homes with enhanced energy performance features.
The workshop showed that practical climate resilience is not only achievable but energising. Businesses left with clear commitments to act; from strengthening energy resilience through solar panels and battery storage, to preparing for extreme weather with property risk reviews and heatwave and winter disruption plans.
Many businesses also pledged to improve digital continuity through cloud backups, educate staff and clients about environmental risks, and source more goods locally, including fresh ingredients from within 30 miles of Henley.
There was also a strong focus on working with landlords and partners to ensure buildings and operations are ready for increasingly unpredictable conditions.
Amy Clarke said “Change often happens from the ground up.
“Our SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) sector has the opportunity to embrace that in terms of adaptation, decarbonisation, and the chance to lead by example and create the ripples of change we so desperately need.
“The cost of adaptation only increases the longer businesses wait.
“We know customers want resilient, responsible, purposeful businesses – and so do the employees and generations coming through.
“Focusing on resilience now is a powerful investment in the future as well as a hedge against risk.”
Rather than waiting for national policy to catch up, Henley businesses are stepping forward together, turning climate risk into opportunity.
Judy Walker, business lead at Greener Henley, said: “What was so encouraging was not just the increasing awareness in the room, but also the commitment to take action.
“This work is critically important for the future resilience of our town and its businesses.
“There is a lot of information available now to help organisations prepare for the changes the climate is bringing but there is almost too much, so the Greener Henley Business Group has created a toolkit of resources especially relevant to businesses in Oxfordshire.”
Greener Henley hopes the leadership shown by this initial group of businesses will help drive wider change across the town and further afield as climate and geopolitical pressures continue to grow.
The event was held in conjunction with the University of Reading, through its Henley Business School.
Local businesses wishing to get involved can reach the Greener Henley Business Group at greenerhenleybusiness@proton.me
For more information, and to download the group’s business toolkit , people can visit: greenerhenley.org.uk
