|
Welcome to our March edition of our Green Business Programme newsletter!
This month's summary
What a busy and amazing month it has been! With the world opening up again, this month, we had the opportunity to go out to three different events: Midlands Business Show, Venturefest and FSB Bootcamp. All these events were very well organised and it was great to speak to so many businesses and organisations. The overall feeling is that people are ready and eager to make changes which will enable them to become greener, driven by their moral consciousness but also by the energy tariffs going up.
In this month’s issue we speak about ways you can learn more about renewable energy and green transport. Our colleagues are also organising multiple events which you might find useful for your business.
We would like to remind you that all the FREE energy audits we offer, are booked up weeks in advance, so if you are interested in booking one, please complete the registration form and send it back to us.
Stay safe, stay green! 💚
Alex, Bernie, Clare, Jon, Maciej, Maria and Matt.
Our latest podcast episode, discussing solar panels as a potential solution for the rising energy prices, was published yesterday.
In this episode we talk to Angus Rose, Managing Director of Ineco Energy, an expert on solar energy, and with Simon Birch, Managing Director of Patrick Steel Ltd, a small business based in Coventry which has recently decided to install solar panels.
Listen to this episode and the find the answer to the following questions:
- What does the latest climate change report say?
- How expensive is to install solar panels?
- How long do they last?
- How much can SMEs save?
Listen to our latest episode.
|
On 4 May, we are bringing you the force of renewable energy and green transport.
Building up on the information offered by our latest podcast episode, we will discuss further how solar panels and heat pumps could improve thermal comfort, whilst reducing the impact on the environment.
Coventry City Council’s Transport team will also deliver an update on the programme Electric Fleet First and on the city’s transport strategy draft.
We will also hear from Giuliana Famiglietti-Pipola, Business Delivery Manager at CUE, who will explain us how E-smart tech could stimulate the proactive participation of citizens and stakeholders in sustainable mobility planning.
Book your place
Please find below a summary of the most important business related items, which were announced in the recent Spring Statement.
The Chancellor announced three areas of taxation that will be reviewed, through consultation with businesses:
- To drive improvements in adult technical skills, a decision will be made in the Autumn on whether the current tax system, including the Apprenticeship Levy is doing enough to incentivise businesses to invest in the right kind of training.
- To drive innovation and address the UK’s productivity gap (particularly to the US) R&D tax credits are to be reformed to make them better value-for-money (and potentially include data, cloud computing and pure maths), as well as potentially expanding R&D expenditure credits.
- Tax rates on capital spend business investment will be cut, after the existing superdeduction scheme ends in March 2023.
Read the full Spring Statement report and the Chancellor’s full speech.
 March’s webinar was delivered in partnership with Accelar and Gemserv. In this session, our main guest speakers, discuss Net Zero policy and circular economy through a series of presentations and Q&A sessions.
Jeremy Hodge, Managing Director of Cherwell, a SME based in Southam, also explains how theory can be put in practice with the support offered by the Green Business Programme.
If you missed this webinar, you can watch the recording and access the presentations.
The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have partnered with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to support small and medium sized businesses in starting their journey towards lower energy bills and emissions.
100,000 FREE downloads of BS ISO 50005, the new energy management standard, are being sponsored by BEIS, as part of their commitment to support small and medium-sized organisations to manage their energy performance and help the UK to meet Net Zero, building on commitments in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy (IDS).
Energy Management is crucial to all organisations as it controls costs, like energy bills, and minimises Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
BS ISO 50005 provides SMEs with a clear and guided pathway to saving energy, money and carbon. Its key benefits include:
- The ability for businesses to develop an energy management system at their own pace
- The choice of which elements to target and to what maturity level
- Providing quick wins by aligning to areas of greatest improvement
- Achieving financial savings
- Motivating employees, creating corporate commitment and a positive energy management culture
SMEs can download the free standard
Have you got an inspiring story about your business or organisation's efforts to become greener or more sustainable? Share it with us and we will publish it in our newsletter which goes out to over 1700 contacts free of charge.
Please contact our Marketing Coordinator, Maria Covlea, for more details, on maria.covlea@coventry.gov.uk or 024 7697 8358.
|
Borro is a small business based in Stratford Upon Avon, which launched at the beginning of this year. They offer baby clothes rental service which enables parents to save time, money and help protect the planet. By keeping clothes in the loop we reduce the demand for new clothes, and with professional cleaning and repair, we stop clothes from entering landfill. There's no minimum order, and they never charge for stains, so parents can rent with complete peace of mind. Find out more at https://www.borro-it.com | Instagram @borro.it | Facebook @borro.it
|
Collaborate to achieve Net Zero!
Coventry University’s SME collaboration programme launch event
5 April 12noon - 3pm
SMEs in C&W will have the opportunity to join one of 5 collaboration programmes which will run for up to 12 months and will include regular seminars, interactive workshops and 121 bespoke support to help them reach their Net Zero goals.
Visit this website to learn more about this event or to register to attend.
|
Build the engagement strategy of a SUMP
The e-smartec project is funded by the Interreg Europe programme and its purpose is to support the implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and enhance its impact by identifying marketing techniques that can help engage key actors and travellers.
Register for the e-course using the free self-enrolment key "Engagement-SUMP".
|
When: 25 -28 April, 8:30am-12noon
This FREE* Hydrogen for Transport Masterclass will give SME's an introduction to hydrogen production, its potential uses and the support available.
During this four-day masterclass we will explore policy, legislation, hydrogen safety and more. Each session will be led by our world-leading researchers from the University of Birmingham who are developing the technology needed to create a hydrogen economy. Throughout the masterclass there will be Q&A sessions to discuss any specific queries you might have about your own business. You will need to register to attend.
Other events
 100 charge point challenge offer
Now's the time to include electric vehicles in your roadmap.
Find out more about PlugIn Coventry.
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.
Our privacy notice outlines how we keep your data safe and secure.
Our Economic Development Service also produce a monthly business newsletter, please subscribe if you wish to receive the latest news.
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.
🎧 Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast channel.
If you have any comments or feedback regarding this newsletter please contact our Marketing Co-ordinator on maria.covlea@coventry.gov.uk or 024 7697 8358.
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.
|
