Committed to sustainable development
Blue Patch invests surplus income, when possible, into community projects from solar for schools to organic farms, contributing to net zero targets and a more sustainable economy. Through investing we receive interest payments which fund Blue Patch Learning.
Blue Patch Learning
Blue Patch Learning supports small businesses to understand and reduce their carbon emissions and waste. We provide a CO2 Reduction course. Our course builds confidence in the basics including keeping a record of carbon emissions for scope 1 and 2 (workspace emissions) and awareness of scope 3 (supply chain emissions).
We also host monthly workshops on sustainability-related topics (online) led by Chartered Environmentalists and sector experts.
Blue Patch will be developing courses on biodiversity, social impact and community advocacy.
What is community energy
Across the UK and Ireland local people are creating community cooperatives and benefit companies to generate renewable energy. The Community Energy movement is installing solar panels, ground source heat pumps, improving insulation and developing carbon saving technologies.
What we’ve achieved
In 2019 we made our very first investment – it was a fantastic moment! Since then we have invested in
- 2019: Brighton Energy Coop, Sussex, England
- 2020: Low Carbon Hub, Oxfordshire, England
- 2021: SE24 Sustainable Energy, London, England
- 2021: Egni Coop, Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales
- 2021: Glasgow Community Energy, Lanarkshire, Scotland
- 2022 : Energy Garden, London, England
- 2022 : Bristol Energy Coop, Bristol, England
- 2022 : Solar For Schools, Essex, England
- 2023 : Gawcott Fields Solar, Buckinghamshire, England
- 2023 : Wight Community Energy, The Isle of Wight, England
- 2023 : Gower Power, Swansea, Wales
- 2023 : Stockwood Community Benefit Company, Rush Farm, Worcestershire, England (pioneering transforming non-recyclable waste to electricity, on site)
- 2023: Dane Valley Community Energy, Cheshire, England
- 2024: Soul Farm, agro-ecological market farm, Cornwall
- 2025: Outcome: Blue Patch created the Carbon Reduction course using some of our community investment dividends.
- 2026: Kent Community Energy
“We’re so pleased that Blue Patch has become an institutional investor member of Low Carbon Hub. Social enterprises supporting each other, both socially and financially, is crucial for the creation and development of community energy projects nationally. The climate emergency is a global crisis that needs local solutions. By investing in our Community Energy Fund, Blue Patch is part of the change toward a greener, fairer energy system.”
Dr Barbara Hammond MBE, CEO, Low Carbon Hub
What happens to the income generated by Blue Patch’s investments?
Investing in community-owned renewable energy is a way to sustain local people in establishing and managing clean energy generation within their communities. Community farms and conservation initiatives contribute to biodiversity and provide carbon sinks.
The money we invest in community initiatives eventually* returns to Blue Patch including the original investment (principal).
This income funds Blue Patch Learning.
*Investments carry risk and there is no guarantee capital will not be lost.
Blue Patch is a company limited by guarantee. An asset lock prevents the company to be used for personal gain or sold for profit.
If you have a business or organisation and would like join Blue Patch’s sustainable business community please contact Margy Newens and Jane Langley joinus@bluepatch.org tel. +44(0)2077387267 +44 (0)7792726842
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Blue Patch’s Environmental Statement.
Guiding principles
Blue Patch’s Guiding principles shows how our business model works.
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