Since the Action Renewables Network launched in September 2025, we’ve welcomed more than 20 new organisation members from across Northern Ireland’s public, private and voluntary sectors. We’re excited to shine a spotlight on these organisations and will be showcasing our Network members regularly across our social platforms. Today we look at Game of Thrones Studio in Banbridge, Matthew Algie in Lisburn, and Transport Training Board in Antrim.
Game of Thrones
The Game of Thrones Studio Tour stands at the forefront of green innovation in tourism, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility through pioneering operational practices, community engagement, and measurable impact.
In the last 12 months, the Studio Tour has delivered a remarkable leap forward in its sustainability journey through a refined approach to biomass fuel usage. By making seemingly modest adjustments to its heating system – reducing the temperature setpoint by 1°C and cutting operating hours by two hours daily – the Tour achieved a 6.6% reduction in biomass consumption. This equates to a monthly saving of over 20 tonnes of biomass fuel and approximately 6.2 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every month. These efficiency improvements not only reduce the site’s environmental footprint but also enhance logistical operations and lower long-term operating costs.
This initiative builds on an already robust foundation of sustainable best practices. The Studio Tour is a carbon-neutral visitor attraction powered by green electricity and heated with zero-carbon biomass boilers. Its advanced energy infrastructure includes air-to-air heat pumps, battery energy storage, and a biofuel standby generator – ensuring operational resilience with minimal environmental impact.
Sustainability is embedded across every aspect of the attraction. A comprehensive transport strategy reduces emissions via a mandatory park-and-ride shuttle, EV charging infrastructure, and partnerships with clean transport providers. In food and beverage, the focus is on local sourcing and reusable serviceware, while site-wide operations adhere to eco-conscious procurement standards, including FSC-certified materials and 100% LED lighting.
The Studio Tour also champions biodiversity and land stewardship. Its 90-acre site includes a 30-acre wildflower meadow, beehives, bird and bat boxes, and active rewilding and tree-planting efforts – making it a net-positive contributor to the local ecosystem.
Innovation extends beyond infrastructure. The Studio Tour fosters a culture of sustainability through educational partnerships with schools and universities, integrated visitor messaging, and collaborations with local green businesses. It turns every guest interaction into an opportunity to inspire sustainable thinking.
Already the recipient of major accolades – including the UK inbound Sustainable Tourism Provider of the Year and the Asia Matters Sustainability Award – the Studio Tour continues to evolve, refine, and lead in green innovation. Its proactive, evidence-based approach to carbon reduction and community engagement makes it a shining example of how global entertainment experiences can align with environmental stewardship.
In redefining what it means to be a sustainable tourist attraction, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour proves that environmental innovation is not just compatible with world-class visitor experiences – it enhances them.
As a new Action Renewables member, the Studio Tour has benefited from valuable collaboration and knowledge sharing with like-minded people. This partnership has provided access to expert guidance, innovative ideas, and new opportunities to accelerate carbon reduction efforts. By engaging with a wider community of sustainability leaders, the Studio Tour continues to strengthen its environmental strategy and amplify the impact of its green initiatives.
Matthew Algie
At Matthew Algie, sustainability has always been at the heart of who we are and what we do. We are proud to have introduced the first triple certified espresso to the UK, and have continued to integrate sustainability into all areas of our business. Our sustainability plan and roadmap guide our actions with the hope to create a better future for all.
In recent years, climate change has had a profound effect on crop development. Extreme weather events in many coffee-producing regions have raised serious concerns about future crop availability. As a result, supply uncertainties have driven up prices, directly affecting farmers and their families. We are committed to sourcing coffee sustainably and responsibly, a principle that has guided us since the very beginning. We believe strongly in the value of certifications and the role they play in supporting sustainable supply chains. As a proud long-term partner of Fairtrade, we’re dedicated to maintaining these high standards. Currently, around 93% of the green coffee we purchase is certified, and our goal is to reach 100% certification by 2040.
Our sourcing strategy is only part of the sustainability plan, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact our business has, and as such, are on a journey to be Net Zero by 2040. This goal is ambitious, but something we believe is essential and we are actively making changes to contribute to emissions reductions. Our most recent investment is ensuring all our buildings are supplied with renewable energy, and this has included the installation of solar panels on our roastery building. This represents a significant step forward to reducing our environmental impact, and progress towards our goal. We have mapped our environmental impact for many years, and, led by our internal environmental committee, continue to make progress towards emissions reduction.
It is important to also recognise the responsibility for the people and environment in the local communities in which we operate. We have three local charity partners represented by each of our UK offices, and we run fundraising events annually, in addition to working with charities close to our Glasgow roastery and Lisburn office. We donate to local food banks, charities and community groups, and run regular litter picking events to support our local area.
Sustainability isn’t just a goal for us, but a continuous journey of learning, innovation, and responsibility, ensuring that every cup of coffee we produce helps build a better future for everyone involved.
Transport Training Board
“Transport Training Board for Northern Ireland (TTB) is the specialist training organisation for the transport, logistics, and motor sectors in Northern Ireland. We provide high-quality apprenticeships, driver training, compliance courses, and professional development programmes designed to meet industry needs. With modern facilities and expert instructors, our mission is to raise skills, improve safety, and support career progression across the region’s transport industries.”
Partnering with Action Renewables we have successfully installed two solar panel arrays at our training centre over the last two years, with the most recent completing in Sept 25. The first installation was a 14 kW array on our existing Light Vehicle Workshop, followed by a 50 kW array on our newly constructed Heavy Vehicle Workshop. We are so grateful to Action Renewables for their support, which has enabled us to reduce our electricity costs by approximately £5,000 per year.
Beyond the financial savings, what truly resonates with people is the environmental impact. When I boast about having a 64Kw system it is hard for people to understand what that means. However, when you explain that it delivers the equivalent carbon benefit of TTB planting 427 trees every year for the next 20 years. That is when the scale of this project really becomes clear and they then get it.
To find out more about joining the Action Renewables Network contact Elaine Hamilton on 028 9590 1172 or via email
To enquire about the Solar PV Programme contact Lydia McKane on 028 9590 1173