Real Results from Sustainability in Action

At Grow Forward, our impact is best demonstrated through the success of the businesses we support. From helping SMEs take their first steps toward Net Zero to enabling major construction projects to transition to clean temporary power, our work delivers measurable outcomes in carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable innovation.

Below are examples of how our expertise is making a real difference across the built environment.


Case Studies

Case Study 1: Supporting a Family-Owned Builders’ Merchant on the Road to Net Zero

Client: Independent Builders’ Merchant Group (South-East UK)

Challenge: High operational emissions, rising energy costs, and increasing pressure from customers to demonstrate sustainability credentials.

Our Approach:

  • Conducted a comprehensive energy audit across multiple branches and warehouses.
  • Identified areas for immediate savings, including LED lighting upgrades, HVAC optimisation, and solar readiness.
  • Delivered a Net Zero roadmap with short, medium, and long-term targets aligned with SME Climate Hub principles.
  • Trained senior management and operational staff through on-site sustainability workshops.

Impact:

  • 18% energy cost reduction within 12 months
  • 21 tonnes of annual carbon savings
  • Strengthened relationships with Tier 1 contractors seeking low-carbon suppliers
  • Awarded local green business recognition

Case Study 2: Clean Energy for a Major Urban Construction Site

Client: Infrastructure contractor on a city-centre project

Challenge: Need to minimise noise, emissions, and diesel use due to urban air quality restrictions and planning constraints.

Our Approach:

  • Carried out a full energy needs analysis and site survey.
  • Proposed a hybrid clean energy system using battery storage and solar PV integration with backup biofuel generator.
  • Supported delivery in partnership with clean energy equipment suppliers.

Impact:

  • 65% reduction in diesel generator runtime
  • Significantly reduced air and noise pollution
  • Positive ESG reporting outcome for principal contractor
  • Enabled planning compliance and early stakeholder approval

This project demonstrated how temporary power can be both clean and commercially viable.

Case Study 3: Sustainability Training for a Building Products Distributor

Client: UK-wide distributor of plumbing and building materials

Challenge: Low staff awareness of sustainability; clients asking about environmental performance and carbon data.

Our Approach:

  • Designed and delivered a custom in-house training programme: "Sustainability Essentials for Merchants".
  • Topics included: Carbon literacy, Net Zero planning, energy efficiency, and customer communications.
  • Ran sessions for leadership, branch managers, and sales staff, in-person and online.

Impact:

  • 95% staff engagement rate across 3 regions
  • Post-training confidence in discussing sustainability increased from 23% to 87%
  • Sales teams able to respond knowledgeably to ESG questions from contractors
  • Internal sustainability champions appointed in every branch
  • Training empowered the team to become part of the solution, not just the supply chain.

Case Study 4: Accelerating a Temporary Energy Strategy for a Greenfield Event

Client: National events organiser (outdoor venue with no grid connection)

Challenge: Replace diesel generators with a low-carbon alternative for a three-day public event.

Our Approach:

  • Designed a clean temporary power system combining solar and battery storage with smart load balancing.
  • Modelled load profiles to optimise generator downsizing and reduce fuel consumption.
  • Supported carbon footprint reporting for the event’s sustainability brief.

Impact:

  • 82% reduction in diesel fuel used vs previous year
  • Zero noise complaints from nearby residents
  • Achieved internal target of 50% renewable energy supply
  • Supported successful ESG storytelling for event sponsors and partners

This project showed how sustainable energy can elevate brand value and community engagement.

Let’s Write Your Sustainability Success Story

Whether you're just getting started or ready to accelerate your impact, Grow Forward is here to help. Our consultancy delivers more than advice—we deliver results. Real carbon cuts. Real energy savings. Real change.

Want to be our next success story?