To help SMEs develop strategies for reducing their overall energy use, The Carbon Trust is running a series of nationwide finded-workshops for small and medium sized businesses in England to learn more about the Green Business Fund, and how it can help fund capital projects.

Typically, 20% of a business’ annual energy costs are wasted through the use of energy inefficient equipment. The Carbon Trust’s team of business and environment experts works with companies to reduce their carbon footprint, cut energy costs and gain a strategic competitive advantage.

The identify the business case for putting sustainability at the heart of an organisation and demonstrate how this delivers shareholder value. They have worked with over 35,000 large and medium sized businesses, from those just starting their low carbon journey to those who are leading the field in terms of product, supply-chain and business model innovation.

A financial contribution towards your energy saving equipment

The Carbon Trust Green Business Fund is offering a capital contribution of 15% of the project cost (up to a max of £10,000) to small and medium sized businesses, who could benefit from financial support when buying energy saving equipment.

With funding available from June 2016 on a first-come-first served, it could mean up to £10,000 towards a new lighting system for a warehouse, heating and air conditioning equipment for offices or a controls system for a factory.

The Green Business Fund is providing funded two hour workshops for SMEs to learn how to make the most of the programme, and how to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs.

Understanding and reducing energy bills through behavioural and low cost measures

-Introduction to carbon, energy and self-assessment

– How to develop new approaches to energy use in the office that will drive long term change

– Key quick wins for carbon reduction

Focus on major areas of energy consumption in SMEs (lighting, equipment, HVAC, travel)

– Technical overview of the key areas of consumption

– Outline of key energy reduction retrofit technologies

Access to funding and free one-to-one site audits.

– Participants will be able to access additional support and a capital contribution of up to £10,000 towards the cost of projects that comply with the requirements of the fund

Read more about the Carbon Trust Green Business Fund

Register your interest or request a workshop in your area

See the current workshop programme below – more are being added each week.  Please click through for more details and to register your place:
 

Hampshire

28 June 2016 (morning), 9.30 – 11.30
Havant Borough Council – Public Service Plaza Civic Centre Road, Havant PO9 2AX
28 June 2016 (afternoon), 14.00 – 16.00
East Hampshire District Council – Penns Place, Petersfield GU31 4EX

Cambridge

29 June 2016 (morning), 9.30 – 11.30
The Guildhall – Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ
29 June 2016 (afternoon), 14.00 – 16.00
The Guildhall – Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ
In partnership with Cambridge City Council

Loughborough

5 July 2016 (morning), 9.30 – 11.30
Loughborough Town Hall, Market Pl, Loughborough LE11 3EB

East Riding of Yorkshire

6 July 2016, 9.30 – 11.30
Brough Business Centre – Skillings Lane, Brough HU15 1EN
In partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire

Enfield

13 September 2016, 9:30 – 11:30
Dugdale Centre, 39 London Road Enfield, London, EN2 6DS

Basingstoke

20 September 2016 (morning), 9.30 – 11.30
The Ark Conference Centre, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NN
20 September 2016 (afternoon), 14.00 – 16.00
The Ark Conference Centre, Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NN

East Herts

28 September 2016, 9:30 – 11:30
East Herts Council, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8EQ

St. Albans

28 September 2016, 14:00 – 16:00
St Albans Community Fire Station, 153 London Road, St Albans, AL1 1TQ

Three Rivers

6 October 2016, 09:30 – 11:30
Three Rivers District Council, Three Rivers House Northway, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RL

Oxfordshire

15 November 2016, 9:30 – 11:30
Cornerstone Arts Centre – 25 Station Road, Didcot OX11 7NE

West Midlands

21 November 2016, 9:30 – 11:30
Tennal Grange – Tennal Road, Birmingham B32 2HU

Worcestershire

22 November 2016, 9:30 – 11:30
Southcrest Manor Hotel, Redditch, B97 4JS

Register your interest – request a workshop in your area

Don’t see a location near you? Further workshops will be added by demand.  Register your interest in future workshops – email greenbusiness@carbontrust.com and let us know in what town/region you’d like to see a workshop.