Meet Caitlin Sanderson: Sustainability Consultant at Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy

Since joining Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy in September 2023, Caitlin Sanderson has been dedicated to helping local businesses reduce their carbon footprint, lower energy consumption, and embrace a greener future.

As a Sustainability Consultant, Caitlin works closely with her colleague Megan Tucker to deliver the Academy’s fully funded program, forming a dynamic team committed to guiding businesses through the process of decarbonisation.

Caitlin’s role involves everything from conducting detailed energy audits to developing personalised decarbonisation action plans tailored to the unique needs of each business. Her goal is to make sustainability not just achievable but impactful for the Blackpool business community.

One of the aspects Caitlin finds most interesting about her job is the opportunity to work with a wide variety of businesses and business owners. “In Blackpool alone, I’ve worked with large industrial manufacturing businesses, arts and culture centres, hotels, and family-run restaurants,” she says. “I love working with all different businesses, and it’s always a delight when I meet people who are passionate about what they do.”

“Helping local businesses is a passion of mine,” Caitlin says, “It’s incredibly rewarding when I can offer solutions that they may not have thought of, particularly when it means a business can continue operating without worrying about their energy bills.”

Her commitment to sustainability is both professional and personal. Caitlin is Carbon Literacy certified, a qualification that reflects her deep understanding of the environmental impact of carbon emissions and her dedication to mitigating it. The Carbon Literacy Project is a UK-wide initiative, which offers training that empowers individuals and businesses to make significant, positive changes. Through this training, Caitlin has adopted a more sustainable diet, including two vegan days a week and a reduction in her red meat consumption.

“Most businesses are shocked at how much money, energy, and stress they can save by decarbonising,” she says, addressing the common misconception that sustainability is costly. Caitlin has found through working with Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy that going green often has the opposite effect—saving businesses significant amounts of money.

Caitlin takes particular satisfaction in offering advice that helps improve operations while allowing business owners to continue doing what they love, all while making a positive impact on the planet. She emphasises that decarbonisation is crucial for all businesses, regardless of size. 

As for what keeps Caitlin motivated, it’s a mix of tea and a passion to learn. “When it comes to early morning starts tea is a motivator for me. I have an entire cupboard full of all different types of teas and flavours – but my favourite will always be a builder’s brew!” she shares. Beyond tea, Caitlin is driven by a love of learning and exploration. “There’s something very exciting and freeing about learning something new every day, whether it’s visiting a confectioner to see how Blackpool Rock is made or figuring out how QR codes work. I think the world is a fascinating place that we can sometimes take for granted.”

Caitlin is an asset to the Blackpool Net Zero Business Academy, she brings an abundance of love for her job and supporting others, which certainly has delivered positive outcomes to many Blackpool based businesses.