Small businesses in Doncaster to benefit from a new Low Carbon Business Support Project

The project will be led by Sheffield City Council in partnership with Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham Councils and will be delivered to businesses across South Yorkshire. It is part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.

Running until June 2023, the £2.3m funding will provide support to over 250 Small and Medium-sized enterprises to help them understand the opportunities available to reduce their carbon footprint.  The project aims to create a Reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) equivalent to 450 tonnes of CO2, as well as increase long-term profitability for businesses.

Businesses will have access to free energy audits to identify potential energy saving improvements such as low-energy lighting systems or improvements to heating, 1-1 support from specialist business advisors and low-carbon grants  to part fund the improvements.

As part of the support package available, business advisors will provide comprehensive advice on schemes available to help SMEs implement their chosen measures, and a review will be carried out after changes have been implemented to verify the businesses’ carbon reduction.

Cllr Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Business at Doncaster Council, said: “Climate change is a real threat and taking action is a top priority for the council for now and the future. We are working our way through many different initiatives and this support is a great opportunity for our small businesses to understand their current carbon footprint, and look at the actions they can take to reduce it, while also saving on energy bills. Funding will also be available to help our businesses improve their efficiencies which will contribute towards Doncaster achieving its net zero ambitions.”

Doncaster based businesses can find out more about the Low Carbon Business Support Project by contacting Business Doncaster on 01302 735555 or info@businessdoncaster.com