South Lakeland District Council commits to further green business support
South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has increased its commitment to supporting small businesses better manage their environmental impacts and reap the benefits of going green.
SLDC has increased its contribution to its partnership with Green Small Business (GSB) to offer a heavily subsidised deal for businesses to get environmental advice and certification.
GSB provides streamlined environmental management systems and net zero support for small businesses. Their environmental action planning and certification package, which includes 12 months Green Small Business certification, usually costs from £299. SLDC is paying 50 per cent of these costs for businesses in South Lakeland.
The package of support includes:
- A high-level but systematic review of the environmental impacts of the business (via video-call or phone)
- A draft environmental action plan and policy for the business, to adjust as necessary
- 12 months Green Small Business certification
The benefits to a small business of becoming Green Small Business certified include:
- Providing evidence of environmentally-friendly practices which can help secure contracts with government, public or private sector bodies
- Saving money by understanding and managing how you use energy and water, where your raw materials come from and how you dispose of waste
- Enhancing reputation by demonstrating commitment to the environment to clients, customers and potential customers
- Improving your environmental performance by reducing resource use, energy use and waste
If you are a business based in South Lakeland, email info@greensmallbusiness.com to receive your discount code.
To find out more and read feedback from other businesses who has accessed support click here
CAfS Low Carbon Business Support in Barrow
On behalf of Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria Action for Sustainability are offering free support to SMEs in the Barrow area to help reduce carbon emissions.
Benefiting from fully funded, one-to-one support, ten businesses will get a carbon footprint calculation and a building energy audit. Businesses will also benefit from an environmental impact audit and receive recommendations for reducing energy use, renewable energy generation and other top tips to reduce the business’s carbon footprint.
To be eligible for support businesses need to:
- Be classed as a micro, small or medium-sized business (see definition here)
- Be private sector business
- Have a business address that is within Barrow Borough Council
- Have the authority from the business owner to participate in the programme
- Commit to engaging with us within the timescales
Eligible businesses will be selected on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis until all places are filled.
To find out more click here
nesma adds new CIM and CIPR sustainability qualifications
Whether you’re at the start of your sustainability journey or already implementing sustainability policies and responses through the marketing function, these two new qualifications will help to shape your CV, your organisation and, ideally, our planet.
CIM Diploma in Sustainable Marketing
CIPR Specialist Diploma – Sustainability Communications
Both courses are available from September, delivered either face to face or online.
Contact nesma at hello@nesma.co.uk or call 07734222254.
ECO-I North West
To date, the ECO-I NW project at the University of Cumbria has engaged with over 60 businesses across Cumbria on a broad range of carbon emission focused research projects, and with 10 months of delivery remaining we are keen to engage with more. Please get in touch via eco@cumbria.ac.uk if you would like to discuss how ECO-I NW can support your business in reducing its carbon emissions.