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

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

 special topics

Local help in the South West

Adapting to climate change - the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP)'s "Business & Utilities" sector group helps business understand how the markets, design and delivery for goods and service will be influenced by climate change.

Business Link in the South West: Environment & Efficiency - the gateway to environmental business advice in the South West (external site) - or telephone 0845 600 9966.

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

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

ENVEC - the main annual South West climate change event for managers and decision makers in all sectors.

Envirowise - in the South West - free confidential advice on waste minimisation, cleaner technology, clean design (of products), best practice, compliance and pollution prevention. Can also be accessed via the Envirowise advice line 0800 585 794.

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

NISP - in the South West (you will need to select the South West regional link from this web page) - the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) identifies and uses synergies and linkages between cooperating industries to improve resource efficiency and minimise waste.

South West Rural Enterprise Gateway - gateway to support, information and funding for rural enterprises

Waste Recycling Directory for Business - recycling and waste management directory from the Environment Agency (originally set up for agricultural and horticultural businesses but includes recipients of other waste streams)

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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 - the South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP) recommends and/or has produced a number of tools that can help businesses in the South West adapt to the changing climate.

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

Environmental Reporting - guidelines (on Defra's website) including key performance indicators (KPIs) and specific guidelines on reporting on emissions conversion factors for company reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

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.

Note: There are on-line energy efficiency tools and guides on the Carbon Trust's website. Also you can download from the 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

Special Announcement: On 25 March 2009 Defra announced that it was bringing together a range of environmental business support programmes under WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) - see below for further information.

There is a lot of help available for your business. Visit:

    Business Link in the South West: Environment & Efficiency

- the gateway to environmental business advice in the South West (external site) or telephone 0845 600 9966. See also the Business Link/Energy Saving Trust Greener Home Working online videos & advice.

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

Business Link Real Help for Business - from financial support and improving productivity, to saving money by reducing waste and saving energy.

The Carbon Trust - advice, site visits, interest free loans, technologies and techniques (or call helpline on 0800 085 2005). See also Carbon Trust Energy Efficiency Loans; Salix - Carbon Trust loans for Local Authorities; and Carbon Trust - Design Advice - for best practice in green design of new & refurbished buildings.

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) for capital expenditure that reduces the environmental impact of your business:-
  • ECAs - Energy saving equipment;
  • ECAs - Low Emission Cars and refuelling equipment;
  • ECAs - Water Saving Equipment.

Climate Change Projects Office - Government initiative working with business for a cleaner planet. Contact tel: 020 7215 1608.

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 Scheme (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.

Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF) - encouraging the development of low-carbon energy and energy efficient technologies from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Envirowise - free confidential advice on waste minimisation, cleaner technology, clean design (of products), best practice, environmental management, compliance and pollution prevention (Envirowise Advice Line is 0800 585 794).

Local Government - Environment Advisory Service provided by the Local Government Association.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme - Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)'s scheme managed by the Energy Saving Trust supporting microgeneration technologies in the private & public sectors. Helpline 0800 915 0990.

Innovation - Investing in our Future - Government programme - find out about R&D Tax Credits, The Technology Programme and other R&D support products.

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

National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) - national programme identifying and using synergies and linkages between cooperating industries to improve resource efficiency and minimise waste.

Transport Fleets & Travel Plans (support) from The Energy Saving Trust, mainly funded by the Government (Helpline 0845 602 1425). Visit also Freight Best Practice (Hotline 0845 877 0 877) - to promote operational efficiency within freight operations in England.

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) - developing new markets for recycled materials (WRAP helpline is freephone 0808 100 2040). WRAP also can provide funding, i.e. direct financial support in the form of capital grants, for capital projects for recycling businesses.

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


FOOTNOTES

1. Special Announcement: On 25 March 2009 Defra announced that it was bringing together a range of environmental business support programmes under WRAP's (Waste and Resources Action Programme) leadership to provide a one-stop-shop to help businesses, organisations and households become more resource efficient. The organisations which will come under WRAP are:
  - The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)
  - Envirowise
  - The Centre for Remanufacturing and Reuse
  - Construction Resources and Waste Platform
  - Action Sustainability
  - Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) centre for local authorities.
This new service should come into full effect from April 2010. Further details will be placed here as the new WRAP programme is developed. In the meantime you can still access the individual support programmes from the links above.

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

3. Biowise - the former DTI's programme promoting and supporting biotechnology. NOTE: Although the programme has now closed, you can read the achievements, technical reports etc.

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