Stevenage Borough Council recognises that reaching net zero and building resilience to climate change is a challenge for many businesses. To help meet this, and to help address the challenge of rising energy costs, the council has launched the Stevenage Green Business Grant.

The scheme is a much-welcomed addition to the council’s existing Sustainable Support Programme which is aimed at Stevenage businesses and is being led by Sustainable X. The Stevenage Green Business Grant funding will also complement Wenta’s Action Zero Gold Membership Programme. Both programmes enable local businesses to unlock funding and access wider contract readiness support.

The Stevenage Green Business Grant is targeted at helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The aim is to assist them in implementing greener solutions by purchasing and installing new products and equipment to reduce their carbon footprint. This can be through reducing water usage, reducing overall waste, improving their energy efficiency, and reducing their energy costs. Businesses who are eligible will be able to apply for a non-repayable grant of £500-10,000 to cover 80% of their costs depending on the business size and project type.

To access funding, local businesses are required to have an independent Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP). The purpose of this is to recommend or identify projects that help to reduce their overall carbon emissions. These are created with the support of either the Stevenage Borough Council Sustainable Business Support programme, Wenta’s Action Zero Programme or another accredited Sustainable Support programme.

Grants are discretionary and subject to availability of funds. Businesses can apply online with additional supporting information. The grant scheme will be administered by Stevenage Borough Council, with applications initially assessed by the council and then reviewed by Stevenage Green Business Grants Panel.

Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, Portfolio for Local Economy, Transport and Skills said “The council is committed to helping SMEs to adapt to the wider climate change opportunities open to them and support improved ways of working to reduce their overall carbon emissions. All of which will also go on to enhance their reputation and make them more attractive to customers and investors. By supporting businesses to decarbonise, Stevenage Borough Council is also supporting value chain emissions reductions for its own operations and for other Stevenage based organisations. We hope many Stevenage businesses will take up of the offer of the grant to help them invest in products and equipment to reduce their operational costs, save money, and improve operational efficiencies, whilst also helping the environment.”

For more information and to apply please visit the Green Business Grant page.