New initiative & grants to help businesses ‘green up’

Last month saw the launch of CO2Sense Yorkshire, a new consultancy programme funded by Yorkshire Forward. It will help companies cut carbon emissions, comply with legislation and save money, while making the most of the business opportunities created by the region's carbon reduction commitments.

How does CO2Sense fit in with other programmes?

CO2Sense Yorkshire is an evolution of the Sustainable Futures Company. It will incorporate and build upon its already-successful programmes—which include Future Energy Yorkshire, Resource Efficiency Yorkshire and Carbon Action Yorkshire. To find out more, visit the new CO2Sense Yorkshire website. 

Is money available to help businesses become greener?

Three new grants are now available. These include:

• New Business Resource Efficiency Improvement Grant—YFM Group, on behalf of CO2Sense Yorkshire, has launched the BREIG grant scheme to help the region’s SMEs improve their resource efficiency. BREIG offers access to third-party expertise and grants which help offset any costs of capital investment or consultancy which result in the greater use of recycled or environmentally friendly processes and materials; reduced energy, fuel or water consumption; reduced landfill waste; and improved production efficiencies. Businesses can claim up to 20% (max £8,000) of investment costs for equipment, and up to 50% of training and consultancy support to help them implement change. To find out more, contact Leanne Adams on 0113 368 5232 or email her on breig@co2sense.org.uk.
• Innovative Project Fund—This fund provides revenue funding to projects from environmental businesses, consultants and partners which will increase the competitiveness of businesses in our region through the widespread adoption of resource-efficiency measures. These measures should increase the uptake of environmental advice; provide support to businesses to reduce their resource consumption and costs. and increase sales; and apply innovative solutions and learning to priority materials and sectors. In Year 1, 13 projects have been funded. For Year 2, funding is on a competitive call (to be announced). CO2Sense is looking for projects which meet business resource efficiency needs, are innovative in nature, and deliver carbon savings. The closing date for applications will be the end of January/beginning of February 2010 (please watch the website for updates). To find out more, contact Michelle Phillips on 0113 237 8483 or email her on michelle.phillips@co2sense.org.uk.
• Environmental Management System Project—Groundwork will help businesses to respond to the growing pressure to implement environmental management best practice to secure new contracts, comply with legislation and implement long term environmental improvements. With support from CO2Sense, Envirowise and MAS, businesses can access 4 free training days and 4 project support days, plus subsidised consultancy to help them implement an environmental management system. To find out more, contact Cleo Watts at Groundwork on 0114 228 8200 or email her on ems@co2sense.org.uk.