By Jo Holmes, Genee
Driving sustainability through collaboration.
Sustainability can sometimes feel like a daunting challenge for organisations. From understanding the whole agenda, reducing carbon emissions and managing waste to responding to increasing expectations from customers and regulators, organisations are navigating an increasingly complex landscape.
But one of the most powerful tools for accelerating sustainability progress isn’t a new technology or policy, it’s a strong network.
Networking is not just about exchanging information; it is about building trusted relationships, sharing ideas, and learning from the experiences of others. When organisations collaborate, they gain access to insights and solutions that might otherwise take years to discover alone.
The same principle applies when it comes to environmental action. No organisation has all the answers, and many sustainability challenges are shared across sectors. By working together, we can learn faster, overcome common barriers, and build momentum for change.
At Genee, we see the impact of strong networks every day through the communities we build, support and participate in. As a certified B Corp, we are proud to be part of a global network and movement to drive positive environmental and social change.
Closer to home, we also facilitate the North East Recycling Forum and the North West Resources Forum. These forums bring together professionals from across the waste, recycling, and resource management sectors to discuss emerging issues, share experiences and explore practical solutions. Often, the most valuable outcome is the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges or meet someone who might be part of the solution.
Genee is the northern delivery partner for Investors in the Environment (iiE), a network which not only celebrates your organisation’s sustainability efforts, but helps you understand, measure and achieve them.
iiE provides organisations with a structured framework to improve their environmental performance, but what truly drives progress within the programme is the network itself. Organisations of all sectors and sizes come together under the iiE framework, creating a community that are committed to continual improvement.
Through workshops, events and shared learning opportunities, members connect with likeminded organisations on a similar sustainability journey. This creates a supportive environment where everyone can share ideas, discuss challenges, and learn from each other’s successes and setbacks. This will be showcased at the iiE 2026: Sustainability Learning, Leadership & Celebration event, which this year takes place in the North East at Newcastle Civic Centre on the 25th of November.
The impact of this network has been particularly evident through our partnership on the Going Green Together programme. The initiative has supported numerous cohorts of voluntary sector organisations to tackle sustainability collectively while undertaking the Investors in the Environment programme. This collaborative approach helps build confidence and momentum, particularly for organisations taking their first steps on the sustainability journey.
Steve Mack at Newcastle United Foundation a long standing iiE member stated, “You can’t do this alone – reach out and get support.”
His words capture exactly why networks matter. When organisations see their peers taking meaningful action, such as reducing waste, cutting emissions or embedding sustainability into everyday operations, it creates a positive ripple effect. One organisation’s progress inspires another’s, raising ambition and accelerating change across the whole network.
As sustainability expectations continue to grow, collaboration will be essential. Organisations that engage with networks gain access to knowledge, inspiration and support that simply can’t be developed in isolation.
If you’re looking to strengthen your environmental performance while connecting with a community of organisations committed to making a difference, Investors in the Environment offers the perfect starting point.
To find out more about genee’s work with Investors in the Environment, contact jo@genee.org.uk or visit www.genee.org.uk