This page provides comprehensive help to all types of organisations (private & public) for improving energy, environmental and sustainability performance.

 local help in the South West

 tools

 government support programmes

 links to environmental business support organisations
 and schemes - links page of this website.

 special topics

Local help in the South West

Adapting to climate change impacts. Climate SouthWest provides access to a wide range of events, tools and case studies to help businesses and other organisations adapt to climate change impacts.

SW Energy & Environmental Management Groups - independent forums exchanging ideas and professional advice for managers in industry, commerce and the public sector.

philharding.net network - rapid access to some of the UK's leading independent 'business improvement' management consultants / advisers providing management solutions for better, more sustainable business (many based in the South West).

Training in environmental management - The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)'s training website is a useful source of information and guidance.

Future Foundations - the sustainable construction knowledge network for the South West. Includes advice on sustainable construction.

Rural Enterprise Solutions - (based at Plymouth University) help for rural businesses to improve competitiveness, profitability and sustainability through the provision of knowledge and information.

Waste - NetRegs Waste Recycling Directory - from the Environment Agency: an easy way to find out where you can recycle or dispose of your business waste.

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Tools

Managing Change - Resource Efficiency & Corporate Responsibility - a popular guide to help managers to think creatively about how they manage change. It incorporates worst practice guidance - to help you identify where your own organisation might be getting it wrong(!)

Effective Energy Management Guide - including quick start guide to energy monitoring & targeting.

Adapting to the impacts of climate change - Climate SouthWest (previously known as the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership) recommends and/or has produced an extensive range of tools and case studies that can help businesses in the South West adapt to the changing climate.

Environmental Policy - How to write one - guidance from WRAP - Envirowise (external site).

Environmental Reporting - greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - guidance (on Defra's website) incl. conversion factors.

Greener Events Guide - a practical guide (pdf) for reducing the environmental impacts of conferences and seminars. Includes a "Greener Events Checklist" to aid discussions between event managers and venue management.

Envirowise Indicator - free, online 'Indicator' from Envirowise helps businesses & organisations to understand where they can act to reduce their environmental impact and the financial savings that can be made by addressing it.

"NetRegs" - Environment Agency website designed to help small businesses navigate through the maze of environmental legislation. It could save you time, money and hassle ...without drawing attention to your business.

Biodiversity Benchmark (from the Wildlife Trusts) - enables your organisation to assess its impact on the natural world and improve its contribution to the environment, whilst demonstrating commitment to biodiversity.

motivate4me for resources, ideas and web links about how to motivate yourself and others.

Note: There are on-line energy efficiency tools and guides on the Carbon Trust's website. Also you can download from the WRAP-Envirowise website environmental management guides and/or case studies on benchmarking, waste minimisation, clean technology, examples of best practice etc.

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Government support programmes to help your business/organisation

There is a lot of help available for your business. Business Link: Environment & Efficiency (external site) is the gateway to environmental business advice or you can telephone 0845 600 9966.

Alternatively, here are links to some of the key Goverment Programmes that can help your business/organisation:-

The Carbon Trust - advice, interest free loans or financing, low carbon buildings, technologies and techniques (or call helpline on 0800 085 2005).

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) for capital expenditure that reduces the environmental impact of your business:-
  - ECAs - Energy Scheme - enhanced tax relief for investments in equipment that meets published energy-saving criteria;
  - ECAs - Water Efficient Technologies (on Business Link website).

Constructing Excellence - (was Construction Best Practice Programme) Government supported programme in innovation, best practice knowledge, productivity and engagement for UK construction and client organisations.

Energy Saving Trust: Feed in Tariffs - generate and sell your own electricity - EST Helpline 0800 512 012.

Energy Saving Trust: Renewable Heat Incentive - switch from using fossil fuel for heating, to renewables such as wood fuel - EST Helpline 0800 512 012.

EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) - in greenhouse gases - on the EA's website.

The Environment Agency (tel: 08708 506 506) can advise your business on lawful waste carriers and environmental regulations. The EA's special "NetRegs" website is designed to help small businesses navigate through the maze of environmental legislation.

Innovation - Government programme from BIS - find out about R&D Tax Credits, Knowledge Transfer, and other R&D and business support products.

Market Transformation Programme - Defra's programme encouraging environmentaly friendly products using less resources (reference knowledge database - enquiries to 01235 432285).

Transport Advice from The Energy Saving Trust, mainly funded by the Government. Visit also Freight Best Practice and Van Best Practice - (on Business Link website).

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) - the comprehensive material resource efficiency programme from HM Government. The WRAP helpline number is 0808 100 2040.

This enhanced single programme of work (from April 2010) provides a focus on the following areas:

• Resource efficient design & Waste Minimisation
• Business Resource Efficiency
• Developing & sustaining markets for recycled & reusable materials & products
• Diverting waste from Landfill

WRAP brings together under one programme several resource efficiency programmes including Envirowise and the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP). All existing websites, helpline numbers and direct support will become merged into one support programme.

Waterwise - information and assistance to businesses and others (including householders) on the efficient use of water.

FOOTNOTE

There is also a comprehensive list of useful web links on the Environmental Business Support Organisations and Schemes links page of this website.

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Special Topics

• The Sustainability Challenge for Business
• CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) Energy Efficiency Scheme (on DECC's website)
• Climate Change Levy (CCL) (on DECC's website) - Note: Latest CCL rates can be found on the HMRC website
• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Energy Performance Certificates (Directive Implementation Advisory Group website)
• Environmental Management Systems (on Environment Agency's NetRegs website) - see also EMAS - the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (IEMA)
• Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) (on Environment Agency's website) These were introduced on 6 April 2010, replacing the 2007 Regulations. The 2007 Regulations combined the Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) and Waste Management Licensing (WML) regulations. With EPR the scope has been widened to include water discharge and groundwater activities, radioactive substances and provision for a number of Directives, including the Mining Waste Directive.
• Hazardous Waste (Environment Agency)
• Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH - on HSE's website)
• RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations - on BIS website)
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE - on NetRegs website)

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