I love the irony of this next story which is urging businesses – wanting to reduce their environmental impact by cutting carbon emissions – to take note that the deadline for applying for grant aid is fast approaching..
Thing is part of the scheme is still funded by the European Regional Development Fund! The West of England Business Grants Funding window closes on Friday, June 25th.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel said: “We all have a role to play in tackling the climate and ecological emergencies and as businesses work to recover from the impacts of the pandemic there is an opportunity to make positive change and increase business efficiency, whether that is for example updating equipment or using rooves to generate solar energy. Greening your business can also help to reduce energy bills and lower maintenance costs.
“This grant funding will also help businesses remain competitive within a marketplace where customers and contractors are increasingly making choices based on how businesses are reducing carbon emissions and their environmental impacts. We welcome this funding from the West of England Combined Authority and hope that local businesses will take the first step and apply for a carbon audit to find out what carbon savings they could be making.”
Green Business Grants can be used for capital works and purchases to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and business operations, such as the installation of:
- LED lighting and better lighting controls,
- solar film to reduce overheating and air con use in summer,
- more efficient heating and better controls,
- insulation to walls and roofs, and
- air compressors and variable speed drives to improve the efficiency of manufacturing and processing equipment.
Businesses can apply for up to £15,000 to pay for 50-80% of the eligible capital cost and a free Decarbonisation Report will be provided, to help identify energy saving improvements.
The Green Business Grants scheme is managed by the West of England Combined Authority. The grants are funded through the Combined Authority’s Recovery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.
Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, said: “We’re facing a climate emergency that threatens to change our way of life. I’m urging businesses across the West of England to apply for these Green Business Grants to improve their carbon footprint. Decisions taken now will determine what sort of world our children and grandchildren inherit.”
To apply for a grant you must be:
- a small & medium sized enterprise – with fewer than 250 employees AND a turnover of equal to or less than €50m OR a balance sheet of equal to or less than €43m (including any partnership your organisation is a part of or any linked enterprises),
- based in the West of England region – located in Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire local authority area
- VAT registered, and
- content to be credit checked by a third-party credit reference agency.
For more information and to apply for a West of England Green Business Grant visit: https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/business/green-business-grants/
