Supporting and celebrating responsible business

For the City to continue to be a global hub of successful and sustainable business, we must be ambitious about our role in society and continue to grow and demonstrate the City's positive impact. At a time of great uncertainty and change, the growing threat of climate change and persistent inequality, it is more important than ever for different sectors to seize the opportunities that these challenges present.

We know that this step change can't be achieved alone. That's why we're working collaboratively with a wide range of partners to inspire, develop and promote action on responsible business, including:

Heart of the City: Heart of the City is a charity supporting SMEs to do well by doing good through two programmes, Climate for SMEs: 4 Steps to Action and Foundations for Responsible Business. They bring together SMEs with experts in responsible and sustainable business areas such as net zero, mental health, diversity and inclusion and community support. Their online workshops, in person networking, 1:1 sessions and online resources help SMEs make sustainability and responsible business a meaningful part of their work. 

Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards: London's most prestigious annual responsible business awards. We recognise and celebrate the businesses that are achieving excellence in social impact and inspire others by sharing best practice.

Clean City Awards Scheme: The City’s business network and awards scheme helps drive sustainable business. Square Mile businesses are assisted and recognised in improving in the following areas: Air quality and climate action, Communication and engagement around sustainability, Resource efficiency and the move towards circular economy practices, and Transition towards a Plastic Free City.

Green Finance Initiative: Our partnership to provoke public and market leadership on green finance; advocating for specific regulatory and policy proposals that might enhance the green finance sector globally; and promoting London and the UK as a leading global centre for the provision of green financial and professional services.

Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce: Our green skills taskforce is a three-year project led by the City of London Corporation to boost the supply of skilled workers for sustainable buildings in Central London boroughs. It convenes employers, training providers and industry bodies from across the commercial built environment sector, as well as national and local government.

Business Healthy: Our initiative to support Square Mile employers to improve the health and wellbeing of their workforce and make the City a healthy, happy and productive place to work. Join us for free support, signposting and best practice.

The City Air Business Programme - This free initiative provides Square Mile businesses with personalised advice and toolkits which will help reduce emissions and lower your employees’ exposure to pollution, the added potential to save on fuel costs and reduce emissions, have healthier employees become a more attractive employer. Contact the City Air Business programme. 

The Pan London Idling Action project is jointly led by the City of London Corporation and the London Borough of Camden and supported by the Mayor of London. It sees 31 London authorities joining forces in a bid to cut unnecessary vehicle emissions. Idling Action’s #EnginesOff campaign is a public pledge for businesses to reduce vehicle emissions and tackle avoidable air pollution by asking their fleet drivers and employees not to idle their vehicles wherever possible.  Free driver training and resources are provided to businesses who sign the pledge.

To find out more about the City of London Corporation’s approach Responsible Business, please visit our Responsible Business page.