Barnsley businesses urged to make haste while the sun shines…

Barnsley businesses are being urged to apply for green grants now so they can invest in eco-friendly initiatives which are up-and-running by the end of the year.

The Net Zero Barnsley programme, delivered by The Business Village, in partnership with Barnsley Council, has put a summer call out to attract more bids for decarbonisation grants.

These awards, need to be match-funded, and may be invested in capital developments which help companies reduce carbon emissions.

Grants have already helped businesses invest in solar panels, smart lighting and more energy efficient equipment. They have supported greener working practices and sustainable transport options.

But the deadline looms for this 2024 funding package, and further applications need to come in soon to ensure the grant-backed initiatives are in place before the end of December.

Net Zero Barnsley business development manager Kevin Steel said:

“Time is running out to apply for these very useful grants – just like time is running out for the planet. We hope as many companies as possible will get in touch soon to see if they are eligible for this funding support. We’d urge people not to put it off. Decarbonisation grants ultimately help to build business resilience and save companies money, as well tackle climate change.”

Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce operations director Shane Young is backing Net Zero Barnsley’s summer call to get more businesses on board.

The Chamber has participated in the Net Zero Barnsley programme to learn more about how to upgrade its property portfolio and review working practices to lower its carbon footprint. They are also investigating solar panels for their Templeborough offices, with the support of a decarbonisation grant.

Shane said:

“We endorse businesses becoming more sustainable and want to practice what we preach. Our aim is pass on information and signpost members to sources of support such as Net Zero Barnsley. We’d encourage any business owner to take action now and get as much support as possible to invest in what they need to do to achieve sustainability targets.”

All UK businesses need to work towards the Government’s legal requirement to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, with Barnsley Council setting its own target to achieve this across the borough by 2045.

Net Zero Barnsley has already supported dozens of Barnsley businesses to work towards this goal. As well as the grants, it offers one-to-one sustainability coaching to help businesses measure their existing CO2 outputs and identify priorities for action, including areas for investment. The programme also includes a series of workshops and peer-to-peer support to share ideas.

The Net Zero Barnsley programme, delivered by The Business Village in partnership with Barnsley Council, is part of the Low Carbon Project, part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund from which it has received £3,445,606. Sheffield City Council is the accountable body for the Low Carbon Project in the South Yorkshire region.

Actions to reduce carbon include switching to sustainable forms of energy, investing in new equipment to improve efficiency, adopting smart technology, making behavioural changes in the workplace, reducing waste, considering supply chains and supporting sustainable transport schemes for staff.

To find out more about getting involved in Net Zero Barnsley, contact Kevin Steel on 01226 249590 or ksteel@BarnsleyBIC.co.uk