This page provides comprehensive help to all types of organisations (private & public) for improving energy, environmental and sustainability performance.
national programmes to help your business/organisation
links to environmental business support organisations
and schemes - links page of this website.
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 - 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.
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 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.
Measuring and reporting environmental impacts (incl. greenhouse gas 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.
"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.
Note: There are on-line energy efficiency tools and guides on the Carbon Trust's website. Also you can download from the WRAP UK (Waste & Resources Action Programme) website environmental management guides and/or case studies on benchmarking, waste minimisation, clean technology, examples of best practice etc.
National programmes to help your business/organisation
Here are links to some of the key national programmes (in the UK) that can help your business/organisation:-
The Carbon Trust - independent company (originally) funded by UK Government to help business and the public sector reduce carbon emissions and supporting low carbon technologies. Although the Carbon Trust no longer provides a helpline (see Energy Saving Trust for this service) it does publish tools, guides & reports on its website.
Green Deal: This Government programme means you can make energy-saving improvements (insulation, heating, draught-proofing, double glazing, and renewable energy technologies) to your home or business without having to pay all the costs up front and pay off the costs through savings on your gas and electricity bill. The Green Deal website is at https://www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures.
Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) for capital expenditure that reduces the environmental impact of your business (such as energy efficiency and water management products).
Constructing Excellence - (was Construction Best Practice Programme) Government supported programme in innovation, best practice knowledge, productivity and engagement for UK construction and client organisations.
EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) - in greenhouse gases - on the EA's website.
The Environment Agency (tel: 03708 506 506) can advise your business on lawful waste carriers and environmental regulations. The EA's 'Business and industry' page provides information on environmental issues that are relevant to businesses (by sector).
Feed in Tariffs (FITs) (Energy Saving Trust website) - generate and sell your own electricity - EST Energy Saving Advice Service 0300 123 1234.
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 08459 33 55 77).
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) (Energy Saving Trust website) - switch from using fossil fuel for heating, to renewables such as wood fuel - EST Energy Saving Advice Service 0300 123 1234.
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) - the comprehensive material resource efficiency programme from HM Government to help businesses and individuals reap the benefits of reducing waste, develop sustainable products and use resources in an efficient way. The WRAP helpline number is 0808 100 2040. WRAP brings together under one programme several resource efficiency programmes including Envirowise and the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP).
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.
Special Topics
- CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment) Energy Efficiency Scheme (on .gov.uk website)
- Climate Change Levy (CCL) (on gov.uk website)
- Note: Latest CCL rates can be found on the HMRC website
- Energy Performance Certificates (information regarding the implementation of the 'Energy Perfomance of Buildings Directive' on gov.uk website)
- Environmental Management Systems (EMS) (on Environment Agency's website)
- see also EMAS - the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (IEMA)
- Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) (on Environment Agency's website)
- 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 gov.uk website)
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