The sustainability series: Alex Young from Projects

For three years, we’ve brought together our Net Zero Champions group – the Chamber members working in or towards Net Zero, promoting sustainable business practice in Brighton and beyond, and sharing their knowledge, inspiration and ideas with our business community.

A number of our Net Zero Champions group are Certified Benefit Corporations (otherwise known as B-Corps). These are businesses committed to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Marketing & Engagement Intern, Morgan Ritchie, has collated a series of interviews so you can get to know some of the brilliant B-Corps in your Chamber business community.

Starting with Alex Young, the Director at Projects.  

Hi Alex! Can you tell us a bit about you and your business?

Hi, I'm Alex and I'm the Director of Projects. We're on a mission to be the home for better business. We create and operate inspiring spaces that make everyone feel included. Projects combines coworking areas, dedicated desks and fully serviced offices with meeting + event spaces, a podcast suite, cafes, bars and gym. With two beautiful buildings open in the heart of Brighton, one in the Lanes and one moments from the Beach, plus many more set to open across the UK, Projects is proud to house a community of collaborative businesses.

Why are people concerned with sustainability now more than ever, and why is it a focus for you?

Sustainability has long been a pressing concern for many, especially those who have experienced catastrophic side effects first-hand. We're now at a point globally where we can't ignore the damage that has already been done and increasingly, we're understanding that we all have a part to play in protecting the planet. The growing awareness of environmental degradation and climate change comes from a combination of scientific research and media coverage, as well as the visible impacts of natural disasters. All of these highlight the urgent need for collective action and sustainable practices to mitigate further harm and ensure a livable future for generations to come.

With over 2000 B Corporations now registered in the UK, it's clear that businesses are recognising their role in creating a sustainable future. We at Projects are proud to be a B Corp, a certification awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Being a B Corp is important to us because it aligns with our core values of community support and environmental responsibility. We are committed to contributing positively to the planet and society, fostering a culture of sustainability within our community. This certification not only demonstrates our dedication to doing business ethically and sustainably but also connects us to a global movement of like-minded organisations striving to use business as a force for good.

Why did you make pledges and what do they mean to your business? How does working with your partners help support your pledges?

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our pledges which include achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030, maintaining zero landfill waste, prioritising sustainable construction and planting a tree for every new member. These pledges are integral to us at Projects because they ensure we're operating in a way which aligns with our values. They help guide our actions and ensure we are held accountable.

We love working with like-minded partners as it helps us amplify our impact, enhancing our ability to meet our pledges by bringing in diverse expertise and resources, strengthening our community and fostering innovation. We are extremely proud of our partnerships with organisations like B Sussed for Net Zero planning, Red Roaster and True Start for ethically-produced coffee, the Better Business Network for impactful events, and Bird & Blend Tea Co for workshops. These collaborations play a crucial role in driving positive change.

Our journey doesn't stop here; we are eager to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new opportunities for improvement. 

What was the process of getting B Corp status like for your business? Do you have any advice for businesses starting the process?

Achieving B Corp certification was a rigorous yet rewarding journey. It involved a thorough assessment of how we conduct our business, highlighting areas for us to focus on to ensure we're making progress when it comes to social and environmental targets (see the screenshot from our final verification call - we were nervous but excited). We enjoyed connecting with others going through the certification and those who had already certified, sharing best practices and celebrating their successes, too - the B Corp community are extremely supportive and being part of the movement is uplifting, we're really proud to be a part of this.

Our advice for businesses starting this process is to embrace it as an opportunity for growth. Focus on genuine improvements rather than just meeting the criteria. Engage your whole team in it (you'll likely be surprised about how much it matters to them), communicate openly about your goals to your company, partners and clients, and seek guidance from those who have completed the process as they'll be able to help with some of the more nuanced questions.

What's next for you on your sustainability and Net Zero journey?

We're focusing on reducing our carbon footprint, implementing more energy-efficient practices and expanding our community initiatives - keep your eyes peeled on our social media accounts and in our buildings as we're launching a new (and very cool, if I do say so myself) sustainability campaign for our members which we've been working hard on behind the scenes.

Additionally and equally as important to us, through our charity partnerships with Together Co and TDC and local community engagement, we're doing all we can to create a more diverse, inclusive and resilient membership base at Projects.

For more information, check out our Environmental Commitments and Social Impact pages and contact me if you'd like to discuss anything sustainability / Net Zero / B Corp, I love chatting about these topics and so it would be a pleasure to hear from you: alex@projectsclub.co.uk 

With thanks to Alex Young from Projects. Find out more about their spaces by visiting their website.

If you're interested in joining our Net Zero Champions group - the people in business in Brighton that are working in or towards net zero and sustainability, find out more here. 

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk