EEDA - East of England Development Agency

Business Champions lead SMEs to Low Carbon future

23 June 2010

A unique new initiative, Low Carbon Champions (LCC), is helping small businesses in Suffolk cut their operating costs by creating ‘ambassadors’ within the business to champion carbon reduction programmes.

Made possible with £218,584 of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is managed by East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the initiative provides the Champions with the expertise to change the business from within.

A three-year initiative, LCC is being developed and delivered by Green Light Trust and Suffolk County Council. Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Suffolk Climate Change Partnership and Choose Suffolk are also supporting the initiative. 

Will Sambrook, head of business & development at Green Light Trust said: “Low Carbon Champions is a flexible, time and cost effective way of ‘greening’ a business by making it more efficient, cost effective and marketable. Individuals from within the business are developed into Champions with up to 30 hours of free tailored advice and access to specialist events and courses. 

“A free Carbon Audit is available through the scheme which has a detailed action plan showing costs and payback of particular carbon cutting initiatives. Businesses can then choose an employee who we will equip with the knowledge and skills to help the company take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and measure the results. The Champions are encouraged to spur the business into action by providing advice to their peers, clients and other business partners.”

For larger carbon reducing initiatives LCC provides the opportunity for businesses bid for grants of up to £5,000 to fund up to 65 per cent of any carbon efficiency project. For those organisations looking for recognition for their actions, there will be assistance given to achieve the ANSWER Carbon Charter Bronze, Silver and Gold level of Carbon Management.

David Morrall, International Director for the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), commented: “It is estimated that businesses waste 26 per cent of all energy. This can be reduced very easily with some adjustments, however, many SMEs lack the knowledge, time and finances necessary to become more energy efficient.

“This unique initiative takes a particularly innovative approach to helping businesses overcome these issues by equipping the SME with the knowledge necessary to improve their business. The project is designed specifically to reduce the need for businesses to rely on external consultancy so that it can take a long-term, sustainable view to carbon reduction.”

The initiative aims to help 75 small businesses in Suffolk to reduce their carbon emissions by up to 15 per cent and it is hoped that it will be extended across the East of England in the future. 

For more information visit www.greenlighttrust.org/low-carbon-champions or contact Lenka Anstead at lenka@greenlighttrust.org or on 01284 830829

 

• Download press release image   (JPG 23KB)
• Download full press release   (DOC 361KB)

< back to press releases