Two councils in west Suffolk have become the first public sector organisations to become “Pathfinder Partners” for the Suffolk Carbon Charter initiative.

St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath councils have made a commitment to collaborate on promoting sustainable business practices through accreditations under the carbon charter programme, a rigorous standard for environmental management run by Suffolk County Council in partnership with the Environment Agency.

The first company to achieve accreditation as a result of the collaboration is building blocks manufacturer Lignacite, based at Brandon, which has received the top Gold charter award.

Giles de Lotbiniere, chairman of Lignacite, said: “Lignacite have produced environmentally friendly products since their inception 68 years ago. They have recently launched their Carbon Buster product which is the first block in the world to be genuinely carbon negative.”

Presenting the award, Jessica Fleming, Suffolk Greenest County portfolio holder at the county council, said: “In awarding at Gold, the highest level, the charter panel particularly praised Lignacite’s outstanding track record of effective carbon management going back several years, and the extensive measures they have implemented on site, which have resulted in significant carbon reductions even as the business has seen significant growth.”

The two councils join the East of England Co-op and the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival as Pathfinder Partners for the Suffolk Carbon Charter.

James Waters, leader of Forest Heath council, said: “We know from talking to local businesses every day that the successful ones are self aware and performance driven.

“Being Carbon Charter Pathfinders is a key part of the meaningful support we offer west Suffolk enterprise and we are delighted both to be part of this active network and to enable others to join.”