Genee's 2025 Reflections

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s been a year full of collaboration, growth, and community. Across the North East and North West, we’ve seen organisations taking bold steps to embed sustainability in their operations, and it’s been a privilege to support, celebrate, and learn alongside them.

Sustainability can at times feel like a challenging space, particularly against a backdrop of economic pressures and changing priorities. However, this year has reminded us that meaningful change often comes from everyday action — from organisations, teams and individuals working together within their communities. Across the North East and North West, we’ve seen sustainability embedded in ways that deliver real benefits for organisations and the communities they serve, from improved resilience and cost savings to stronger connection and purpose.

Starting the year with sustainability at our core

We began 2025 by undergoing our Investors in the Environment (iiE) Audit, delivered by the national iiE team. Achieving Green level accreditation was a proud moment for Genee, reinforcing our own commitment to sustainability while setting an example for the organisations we support.

At the same time, we launched the Waste Aware North East Campaign, in collaboration with Net Zero North East England and the North East Recycling Forum (NERF). The campaign aimed to help organisations understand the Simpler Recycling legislation and included a suite of practical resources, templates, and guidance. It was fantastic to see this campaign supported by organisations across the sector, including J&B Recycling, Alupro, Olive Compliance, and SUEZ, demonstrating what can be achieved when partners work together to make sustainability accessible and actionable.

Supporting organisations through Investors in the Environment

Throughout 2025, we guided many organisations through their iiE audits, seeing first-hand the brilliant sustainability initiatives being embedded across the region. From resource efficiency projects to cultural and governance-led approaches, the creativity and dedication of our members continues to inspire us. Some initiatives being delivered even led to teary eyed Auditors (Blue Cabin’s brilliant Print and Plant)!

iiE Awards

Celebrating these achievements culminated in the Investors in the Environment Annual Awards, a highlight of the year. Shortlisted members included Pioneering Care Partnership and Blue Cabin, with runners-up including Everyturn Mental Health, Connected Voice, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Gateshead College, and Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Among the winners, Rise North East was recognised for Best Waste Reduction, and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art took the title of Best Newcomer (Large). Seeing the real-world impact of sustainability across sectors was an energising reminder of why we do this work, and that this work is important for our communities and future generations to thrive.

Recognition, growth, and sharing expertise

We were delighted to be named finalists for the Green Growth Awards, celebrating the impact of our work supporting sustainable business growth in the region. Our partnership with Business Durham also continued, creating guidance videos for start-ups to help them better understand climate change and sustainability from the outset - an important step in embedding good practice from the very beginning.

Expanding into the North West

Jo Holmes at NWRF

2025 also saw Genee expand its reach, becoming the iiE Hub for both the North East and North West, and the launch of the North West Resources Forum (NWRF), which has already held three well-attended meetings and will host its first Annual Conference at UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jodrell Bank, in January 2026.

It’s been inspiring to witness the North West waste and resources sector come together, share best practice, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Supporting the voluntary and community sector

Our commitment to the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector continues to grow. Looking ahead to early 2026, the Going Green Together programme will support more organisations to reduce environmental impact, unlock cost savings, and achieve iiE accreditation.

We were also proud to attend the Emmaus National Assembly, delivering a sustainability workshop after several years of supporting Emmaus North East with their environmental management. The Assembly was a fantastic celebration of the difference the voluntary sector makes to communities, and a reminder of how important practical, accessible sustainability support can be.

Knowledge sharing and collaboration

This year we began our monthly sustainability column in Northern Insight Magazine, sharing updates on legislation, exploring how sustainability intersects with recruitment, inclusion, and workplace culture, and highlighting collaboration through articles with inspiring North East businesses, including TalentHeads, Positive About Inclusion, and Connection Heroes, among many more. Attending the Business with Impact Dinners, hosted by Venture Zero and BeaconHouse Events, also reinforced the value of community, connecting with peers and celebrating regional impact.

We were also pleased to see our Managing Director invited to join the Net Zero Business Podcast with Gareth Kane, alongside David Knight, Principal Sustainability Consultant for Investors in the Environment, to discuss the value of iiE accreditation. The conversation explored how Investors in the Environment supports organisations to take a structured, practical approach to sustainability — helping them move beyond intention into action. Being part of these wider conversations is something we really value, as it helps to share learning, demystify sustainability, and showcase the positive impact organisations are achieving through iiE.

Celebrating achievements

In addition to iiE recognition, we were awarded the SHINE Advanced Award through the North East Combined Authority, further reflecting our commitment to fairness, good work, and responsible business practice. We also published our first B Corp Impact Report, a moment to reflect on our own progress and accountability as a certified B Corp.

A standout moment this year was our webinar as part of the Yorkshire Sustainability Festival, featuring our fantastic, enthusiastic members, Newcastle United Foundation and Gateshead College, who shared their experiences and lessons from embedding sustainability. Seeing members’ practical insights resonate with attendees reinforced the importance of peer learning and shared storytelling - who better to explain the benefits of the Investors in the Environment programme, than the members themselves!

We rounded off 2025 with the North East Recycling Forum Annual Conference at Newcastle Civic Centre, which included the first ever NERF Awards. This was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the network and the impressive achievements of the waste and recycling sector in the region.

Looking ahead to 2026

It would be fair to say that sustainability can sometimes feel like we’re swimming against a strong current. However, this year has reinforced our belief in the power of community and collective action. The commitment we’ve seen from our members, the openness and collaboration at the events we’ve attended, and the shared desire to do better across the regions we work in has been nothing short of inspiring.

At Genee, we’re passionate about bringing positivity, clarity and practicality into a space that can feel complex at times. When organisations are supported to work together and learn from one another, sustainability becomes not just achievable, but valuable — unlocking cost savings, strengthening resilience, supporting people and creating long-term benefits for both organisations and the communities they serve.

Looking to 2026, we are excited to continue growing our impact: welcoming new iiE members through the Going Green Together programme, hosting the first NWRF Annual Conference at Jodrell Bank, and supporting organisations across sectors to reduce environmental impact, find cost savings, and embed sustainability in a way that works for them.

Genee team!

Thank you to everyone we’ve collaborated with this year - the achievements of 2025 are a true reflection of what can be achieved when businesses, voluntary organisations, and partners come together to make sustainability a reality.

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