WIRRAL manufacturer Heap & Partners has become an official supporter of a new sustainable business charter launched by HRH The Prince of Wales.

The 'Terra Carta' – inspired by the ancient Magna Carta signed in 1215 by King John – consists of a 10-point action plan companies must follow to protect the environment.

Valve manufacturer Heap & Partners joined the initiative to further reduce its environmental impact and build upon its current sustainability efforts. The charter agreement will see Heaps work towards fulfilling landmark international treaties including the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Carbon neutral since 2017, the company aims to pave the way forward for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to work towards a healthy business and planet.

Some 200 organisations have joined the global coalition including Unilever, AstraZeneca and HSBC, with Heap & Partners representing one of the few SME voices involved.

Using a framework of industry leaders to share best practice and work together collaboratively, the initiative will outline pathways towards decarbonisation and reimagining industries to be more sustainable.

One of Terra Carta’s actions was initiated at the One Planet Summit in Paris with the creation of a Natural Capital Investors Alliance targeting $10 billion by 2022.

Heap & Partners became carbon-neutral in 2017 after implementing a three-pronged ‘People, Planet, and Profit’ strategy, which began in 2012.

Managing Director David Millar said: "While we've found that slashing our carbon footprint has been extremely beneficial for the business and our profitability, we always want to do more and go further.

"We're delighted to be one of the first SMEs to work with HRH The Prince of Wales on this important initiative.

"We firmly believe in the power of industry to change the world, and we aim to show other SMEs like us that you can continue to grow profits while keeping the health of the planet as a key component of your business model.”