The Sustainable South Action Group held the first Action Group meeting of 2026, bringing together partners from business, local authorities, national parks, academia and landowners to review progress and agree priorities for the year ahead.
Progress on Net Zero Support for Businesses
The group confirmed that its first key deliverable – a Net Zero Beginner’s Guide for SMEs and subcontractors – is nearing completion. The resource is designed to demystify Scope 1 and 2 emissions, explain why net zero matters, and signpost practical tools, data platforms and real-world case studies. Once published, it will be hosted on the Business South portal as a practical, accessible starting point for organisations beginning their net zero journey.
Natural Health Service: A New Area of Focus
The meeting’s main focus was KPI 2 – Natural Health, led by Alison Barnes & Jim Mitchel from the New Forest National Park Authority who highlighted the growing evidence linking access to nature with improved workforce wellbeing, productivity and retention.
Initiatives such as Outdoor Office Day, green volunteering opportunities and the Green Health Hub were showcased as simple, scalable ways businesses can support employee wellbeing while strengthening connections to the region’s natural assets.
Biodiversity Net Gain in Practice
A case study from John Yeend at Halnaker Hill Farm and Greg Lukasiewicz from Kingsbridge) demonstrated how biodiversity net gain can be delivered at scale. The 330-acre farm near Chichester has created over 850 biodiversity units, supporting both mandatory and voluntary markets while restoring habitats, improving soil health and maintaining a working farm. The Sustainable South group plans a summer site visit to Halnaker Hill Farm for a Netwalking meeting to explore how similar approaches could be applied elsewhere across the region.
Looking Ahead
As the Sustainable South Action Group enters its second year, the focus is on turning shared expertise into practical guidance, evidence-based case studies and stronger regional collaboration. Members are encouraged to contribute examples from their own organisations as the group continues to develop resources that support a greener, healthier and more resilient South.
