According to the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, a “just transition seeks to centre the interests of those that are most affected by the low-carbon transition, including workers, vulnerable communities, suppliers of goods and services, specifically small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and consumers.”  

We truly believe in the need for climate action to be fair and inclusive and have been balancing the needs of people with those of the planet for 30 years. Here are just some of the ways Thrive is working to ensure we achieve a just energy transition in the UK. 

Helping ordinary people to take a stake in the transition 

We believe in the power of together. A world where everyone can be part of the clean energy generation. Putting money to work building new sustainable energy projects, we empower people to take action to address the climate emergency. To help us directly fund and build new clean energy projects, we raise the majority of our capital through crowdfunding – making the UK energy transition more accessible by allowing large numbers of people to be part of the solution.  

Facilitating community ownership 

Recognising the appetite of local communities to build and own their own renewable projects, we created our award-winning community energy funding bridge in 2017 to provide funding certainty and expertise. The first project we facilitated was at Mean Moor in Cumbria, enabling the local community group to purchase the 6.9 MW wind farm, which was repaid in 2019. It meant that Mean Moor became the first commercial scale wind farm in the country to transfer to 100% community ownership.  

Since then, we’ve invested over £21 million into six community-led wind and solar projects including England’s largest onshore wind project based in our home city of Bristol. The Ambition Community Energy turbine provides a deprived community with a source of revenue, while preparing local people to take their place in the changing green economy through community-based advice, support and upskilling. 

Supporting businesses to decarbonise  

We help businesses to decarbonise by funding direct wire renewable projects e.g. installing a wind turbine or solar array on their commercial premises. Providing them with a direct supply of clean power, we empower businesses to take their place in the UK’s energy transition, while cutting costs and reducing the carbon consumption of their operations.  

We first invested in direct wire back in 2010, building projects including a 5MW wind farm on the Airfield Industrial Estate in Mid-Suffolk, which to this day provides clean electricity to a big local employer. As well as helping the company to better manage its energy costs, the project also makes an annual contribution to Mid-Suffolk District Council which is then distributed to worthwhile community initiatives. Fast forward 14 years and we’ve invested in three direct wire wind projects, as well as a portfolio of solar rooftops for schools and businesses across the UK. 

Working collaboratively as a force for good 

We believe in looking beyond profit, putting as much emphasis on environmental and social impact as we do on financial. We are a multi award-winning certified B Corp and member of Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership, Better Business Act and the SME Climate Hub, collaborating to improve business ethics and accountability.  

We recognise that as human beings we will not always get it right, but we are transparent about the challenges we face, actions we take and how decisions are made. We will continue learning, improving and working together with like-minded businesses and organisations to serve our communities and bring about positive change.