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50 SHADES OF GREEN, BUT WHICH IS YOURS?
There’s more than one way for your business to ‘go green’. So how can you make sure you start your sustainability journey on the right path? Mark Nelson is business engagement officer with MaCaW, the University of Central Lancashire’s Making Carbon Work project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and supported by Boost, Lancashire’s business growth hub. Here, he explains how.
I talk to lots of Lancashire SMEs about sustainability. I don’t have to convince them it’s the right thing to do, or that their customers expect it. But what businesses do need is the ‘how’. How should they go green? How should they prioritise? How can they make it more affordable?
1. Establish the facts
What is your business’ carbon footprint? Where is the waste? What are the biggest opportunities for improvement? A carbon report will give you the evidence that helps you go green in the right way, set clear priorities and ensure your actions make a difference.
2. Get advice
It’s not just a matter of whether you should invest in solar or a ground/air source heat pump. Your location, the nature of your business and the building you’re heating or powering will all influence that decision. Get some expert advice to ensure any improvement you make is money well spent.
3. Look wider
More than 80 per cent of a business’ greenhouse emissions come from its supply chain. So whatever your actions, talk to your suppliers about following suit.
4. Find the funding
Not every improvement costs money. But for those big capital projects, research matched grants and other funding that can cut the cost dramatically.
5. Get accredited
Show everyone how serious you are. Give yourself a standard to work towards and galvanize action. Explore accreditation bodies that feel right for your business.
Mark Nelson
MaCaW helps Lancashire SMEs go green in a way that works for them. For a free carbon audit, report, expert advice and the possibility of 50 per cent matched grant of up to £15,000, talk to us on 01772 893963 or
macaw@uclan.ac.uk, or visit
macawlancs.co.uk.
Reduce your carbon footprint and cut energy costs for FREE
MaCaW helps Lancashire SMEs: • Reduce their carbon footprint • Save money on energy costs
• By providing grant funding to purchase low carbon technology
A simple, free process to transform businesses
T: 01772 893963 E:
macaw@uclan.ac.uk W:
macawlancs.co.uk Funded by the European Regional Development Fund
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