Green Business Programme September newsletter

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September newsletter

Welcome to the latest edition of the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme newsletter. As we say goodbye to the summer and move into autumn, we want to remind you that we have resumed our on-site energy and resource efficiency audits. Whether you have a project in mind, or you’re looking for ideas for how you can save bills and reduce carbon emissions, please email greenbusiness@coventry.gov.uk to book some time with our specialist energy advisors.  

In the lead up to the landmark COP26 summit being held in Glasgow next month, we are also sharing news of a range of great events to join. This includes our next GreenTalk LIVE webinar with the European Space Agency which will be held on 2 November, asking the question ‘Is your business ready to seize the latest digital opportunities?’ To find out more about our next webinar and other local events please take a look at our what's on' events page. Our partners are also hosting an array of events, read below to find out how you can get involved.

Remember to keep up to date with our latest initiatives, news and events, by following us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Stay safe! 💚

Bernie, Clare, Jon, Maciej and Matt.

Gearing up for COP26

COP26

2021 is a landmark year as COP26 will be held in the UK in Glasgow 31 October - 12 November 2021. COP26 (Conference of the Parties) is the 26th event of an annually held UN summit, where countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meet to discuss Climate Change. Its aim is to secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach, adapt to protect communities and natural habitats, mobilise finance, and work together to deliver.

The importance of COP 26 cannot be underestimated, and each one of us needs to play our part. Getting to net zero in Coventry is not something we can do alone so we must all work together to build a cleaner, brighter, and greener future for Coventry and beyond. Take a look at some of the events and activities in the area in the run up to COP26 and see how you can get involved.

With people already struggling, are we set for another energy price hike?

Energy costs

The next energy price cap, due to come into effect in April next year, could increase by a further £280 – before the £139 hike has even kicked in, a new report has revealed.

Rapidly rising wholesale costs, that has sent the industry into meltdown, mean prices are likely to soar with energy suppliers hoping to cling to survival, according to analysis by comparison website, the Energy Shop.

It comes at a time where over four providers collapsed last week with near a million consumers moved to a new supplier.

Over the past five weeks, since the latest energy price cap was announced, the increases in wholesale prices have been 'staggering' with the natural gas prices for winter 2021 rising more than fourfold over the past 12 months, according to Intercontinental Exchange. Read more.

As a business are you struggling to understand your energy bills? Worried about forecasting future energy budgets? Get in touch with the Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme for a free energy audit and expert advice on how you can reduce bills and lower carbon emissions.

#OurFutureMoves

Coventry Moves

What will the future look like? How will we live, work and travel? How will the technology being developed today impact on our lives in the future?  Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands’ world-leading transport innovation is showcased during a year of celebration and activities at the Coventry Transport Museum.

Alternatively, you can view it virtually @CovTM‘s brand-new online exhibition #OurFutureMoves.  Explore unique highlights from Coventry, Warwickshire, and the West Midland’s world-leading transport innovators. From autonomous vehicles and drones to AI facial recognition cars, submarines and even satellites and rockets – a world of discovery awaits. 

What better place to demonstrate our ability to innovate – past, present and future, than in the home of the cycle industry and birthplace of the motor car in the UK.

See.Sense

Cycle Smart

Cycle regularly around Coventry? Want to help improve the experience? We need you! Transport for West Midlands is looking for 200 cyclists to take part in a new project which looks to improve infrastructure and safety for cyclists. They are looking for cyclists who ride regularly in Coventry to use a See.Sense bike light (reduced from £44.99 to £10.00, incl. delivery) and be a part of the innovative project.

Data will be gathered anonymously from journeys showing both positive and negative conditions faced by cyclists, including other road-user behaviours and uneven riding surfaces. The results will be used to inform local Councils where improvements can be made and make our city even easier and safer to travel around by bike.

Apply for your light and take part today 

Sustainable Production Innovation Network (SPIN) Event - Tuesday 19 October

Sustainable Design event

The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick are hosting another Sustainable Production Innovation Network event on Tuesday 19 October 3pm – 4.30pm.  The theme is “Sustainable Design”.  

This will be their fifth event of the series, aimed at local manufacturing SMEs with the intention to introduce topics, raise awareness of sustainability and introduce practices that businesses could take up in their organisation.  

So much of a product's carbon footprint and wider social and environmental impact is fixed at the design stage, yet design for sustainability is rarely talked about. What factors should be considered during design to ensure a product performs to specification, as well as being environmentally friendly and thorough down to the last detail?  

Find out more about the event.

Electric vehicle charging for businesses

Even with energy prices rising, driving an electric car can still keep your costs down. The following article explains how being smart about how and when you charge an electric vehicle, you can keep low fuel costs for years to come, despite the increase in energy prices.

Find out what workplace charging points are available for businesses by clicking on the Plug In Coventry image below.

Plug In Coventry

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) launches £60 million Phase 2 funding opportunity

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has launched Phase 2 of the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF). Phase 2 is worth around £220 million in funding between Autumn 2021 and 2025 and now includes deep decarbonisation deployment projects.

Businesses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can now bid for a share of up to £60 million in grant funding through the IETF Phase 2: Autumn 2021 competition window. The competition will open for applications on Monday 27 September and will run until Monday 6 December 2021.

The competition will provide grant funding towards the costs of:

·        Studies - feasibility and engineering studies to investigate identified energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects prior to an investment decision.

·        Energy Efficiency projects - deployment of technologies to reduce industrial energy consumption.

·        Deep Decarbonisation projects - deployment of technologies to achieve industrial emissions savings. This strand of the competition is new.

The IETF Phase 2 policy statement explains the design choices.

Case studies of Phase 1 competition winners.

To find out more about the £60 million IETF Phase 2: Autumn 2021 competition, view the applicant guidance and make an application for funding, visit the BEIS competition page.

Share with colleagues

Why not share this newsletter with your colleagues and ask them to join the Green Business Programme Network to be the first to hear about our upcoming events, latest initiatives and case studies from local businesses who have benefited from grants and support as part of the Green Business Programme. 

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Our Economic Development Service also produce a monthly business newsletter, please subscribe if you wish to receive the latest news.

Contact us

To help make your business more energy and resource efficient and make the most of low carbon opportunities please contact us:

Follow us @cwgreenbusiness or join our LinkedIn group to share discussions and case studies.  

The Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is delivered by Coventry City Council, Coventry University and Coventry University Enterprises Ltd.