Local collaboration scheme Cheltenham Zero is looking ahead to a busy summer of supporting businesses with their net zero transition, including through exciting events and the launch of its brand new digital accreditation platform.
The Cheltenham Borough Council-led initiative, which gives local businesses and organisations a platform to share resources, expertise and advice on how to 'future proof' their operations and reduce costs through achieving net zero, is further spreading the word and forging new connections in the community in 2026, with plenty in the pipeline.
Isobel Filipova, business initiative manager for Cheltenham Zero, said: 'We have an exciting few months ahead of us! Join us for the journey and don’t get left behind.'
SoGlos takes a look at some of the Cheltenham Zero highlights businesses can get involved with over the summer.
Cheltenham Science Festival
Taking place from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 June 2026, Cheltenham Science Festival returns to Imperial Gardens, bringing a range of educational and entertaining talks, exhibits and activities from across the scientific spectrum to the town centre.
Cheltenham Zero will be part of the festival for the first time this year, with its team inviting festival-goers to play a game across the weekend that aims to get them talking about the climate, including how to reduce environmental impact.
Everything Electric WEST
Described as the 'world's no.1' electric vehicle and home energy show, Everything Electric WEST is coming to Gloucestershire for the first time this June 2026.
Everything Electric has partnered with Cheltenham Zero to deliver the the two-day event at Cheltenham Racecourse, which will give visitors the opportunity to test drive EVs from across the market and gain expert energy advice.
In response to a growing interest in fleet transition and salary sacrifice schemes for employees, there will be a B2B EV Day on the first day of the show, Friday 12 May 2026.
Complimentary tickets are available for business leaders, who can take advantage of priority test drives, browse hundreds of EVs and commercial vehicles on display, hear business-focussed talks live on stage and chat face-to-face with a range of exhibitors including EV and energy experts.
Cheltenham Zero is helping to give local exhibitors a platform at the show, while Isobel and other council representatives will feature on panels discussing net zero for businesses during the day, too.
More than just cars, Cheltenham Zero is encouraging any local businesses thinking about how they can electrify their operations to attend, whether they have a fleet or not, with opportunities to discover how clean energy solutions can work for them, and more.
Digital roadmap and net zero accreditation
Cheltenham Zero is also set to launch a new digital roadmap to net zero, offering unique target-based accreditation to local SMEs.
Having recently secured funding for the project, the team is working with a local digital platform provider to build a simple, streamlined tool that aims to help businesses get to grips with becoming net zero.
The platform aims to help businesses 'demystify' the process and guide them through step-by-step, measuring their baseline, setting targets, and ultimately achieving their roadmap.
Offering something different to SMEs than larger scale accreditations, businesses will progress through four stages – bronze, silver, gold and platinum – by completing actions and achieving carbon reduction targets.
Set to launch in the coming months, the tool will be available not only for Cheltenham borough businesses, but also for the wider Gloucestershire business community.
Business grants
The scheme is also celebrating the completion of projects that have helped local businesses make significant carbon reductions, following the awarding of grants from its Cheltenham Zero Business Fund.
Funded through the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund, grants totalling £35,665, capped at £5,000 per business, were awarded to 12 businesses that have progressed their applications through to project completion.
The projected reduction of carbon on average is 60 per cent per project source.
One of the organisations that secured funding was Cheltenham Boxing Academy, which is using its £5,000 grant to fund new LED lighting, new heating, a bike rack and new insulation at its gym, located inside a renovated industrial unit.
Providing facilities and training for the local community, including young people in conjunction with schools and community police, owner Pat Lewis was keen to make the space more inviting for users, while saving money on his energy bills and being mindful of the environmental impact.
An audit by Severn Wye Energy Agency, part funded by Cheltenham Borough Council as part of the grant application process, identified the works that could help Pat achieve his aims.
He said of the audit: 'It was very interesting, it showed lots of things we could do and we’d like to do at some point. We’ll take it step by step. My priority is to make our space as welcoming as we can.'
To find out more about Cheltenham Zero and to keep up-to-date with its activity, head to cheltenhamzero.org and sign up as a member.
