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“As a Dragon I know a great business opportunity when I see one and think only a fool would say ‘I’m out’ to the Carbon Trust’s offer of an interest free loan to reduce your business’s carbon footprint. The current economic climate means making your business more energy efficient is vital for improving your bottom line as well as making your company as environmentally sustainable as possible.”  

Theo Paphitis is supporting the Carbon Trust by donating his time to appear in adverts to be broadcast across national and regional radio stations as part of its campaign beginning today (Monday 10 November) to raise awareness of the interest free business loans available. 

The Carbon Trust loans are unsecured, interest-free and repayable over a period of up to four years and help small businesses upgrade to more energy efficient equipment in the most cost-effective way – reducing energy bills and cutting their carbon footprint.

Minister for Competitiveness and Small Business, Shriti Vadera said:

"It is a very testing time for British businesses facing a global downturn. Investing in energy-saving equipment allows businesses to cut costs, reduce energy bills and take action on climate change. This is one way that SMEs can strengthen their businesses to reduce costs now and for the future".

Hugh Jones, Solutions Director at the Carbon Trust, said:

“We know that SMEs want to play their part in tackling climate change and reduce their energy costs at the same time, but the current economic climate is making it harder for small businesses to find sources of funding.

“Our loans of up to £200,000 will finance the ambitious projects we know SMEs want to invest in and significantly reduce both their carbon emissions and their energy bills, helping them reduce operational costs and become more competitive. This paves the way for companies to take on projects such as large lighting installations, boilers projects, or multiple equipment purchases such as variable speed drives with compressors and heat recovery equipment.” 

The £31 million pot is nearly £10 million larger than the £21.5 million allocated in 2007/08. Loans allocated last year will reduce carbon emissions by over 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and result in cost savings of nearly £9 million a year.

Speaking at the CBI's Climate Change Summit this week (05/12/08), the organisation's director general, Richard Lambert, said Government needed to show a strong lead if the UK was to meet its ambitious target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050.

"We must not let the global economic crisis become an excuse for inaction on climate change," he told delegates.

"Now more than ever, we need to secure a binding EU climate change deal, or the opportunity to make the transition to a low-carbon economy will slip through our fingers.

"The Government's commitment to reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 is very ambitious and it has made a promising start with the creation of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change and the Planning Act. But we now need the Government to transform its ambition into action.

"If the Government can deliver the right framework for investment then UK businesses can take the initiative by developing and exploiting new green technologies to improve efficiency and cut costs.

"The sooner that happens, the closer we will be to creating significant numbers of green collar jobs, building future prosperity for the UK and meeting our climate change targets."

The CBI also said business should be seeing going green as an opportunity rather than a burden

"Being green, especially in these times, is not a luxury," said Ben Verwaayen, chairman of the CBI's climate change board.

"It is a critical issue and an important opportunity for business and for creative thinking.

"Where the great depression was solved by building roads and bridges, what this economic crisis needs is green innovation in both energy and applications."

The Committee on Climate Change, chaired by Adair Turner, said that greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by at least 34% in the next 11 years, in a report out yesterday. 

This figure should increase to 42%, if UN negotiations now under way lead to a new deal on climate change next December.

It will cost less than 1% of GDP in 2020 to make the cuts by generating power from renewable sources such as wind and making existing buildings more energy efficient, the committee said.

The committee, which was set up under the Climate Change Act, has recommended an 80% reduction in emissions on 1990 levels by 2050 – now the official government target. Today’s report set out the first three five-year "carbon budgets" needed to meet the long-term goals.

The recommendations were widely welcomed by green campaigners.

The new Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme is Scotland-wide, with funding of £2 million from April 2009 to March 2011. The Scheme will provide grants for installation of biomass heating systems in business premises and district heating demonstrators. The Scheme will prioritise support for small-medium sized enterprises, and is restricted to heat-only biomass applications. The Scottish Government would particularly welcome applications for district heating demonstrators from private developers.

Key drivers are:

• Increase take-up of renewable heat use by businesses;
• the strategic transformation of the Scottish woodfuel market;
• supporting rural economies by creating sustainable green jobs;
• contributing to renewable energy targets;
• maximising carbon savings.

Priority will be given to businesses who are not eligible for other funding streams, such as the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Communities and local authorities are eligible for the Scottish Community & Householders Renewables Initiative and will not be considered under the SBHS.

SBHS Administration
Forestry Commission Scotland,
"Woodlands"
Fodderty Way
Dingwall
IV15 9XB

Email: biomass.scotland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Phone: 01349 860919       

On receipt of a completed form you will be contacted by one of the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Biomass Development Officers and/or other relevant member of team to discuss your proposal further.