“We know these initiatives help businesses innovate and offer a route which enables sustainability, business growth and profitability to work hand in hand."
A low carbon initiative has helped fifteen local businesses make notable savings in greenhouse gas emissions.
The data set which includes figures from March 2021 to February 2023 reveals that 81 tonnes in CO2e has been saved in the Braintree District, making it the fifth highest performer within the county in protecting the environment.
The initiative led by Low Carbon Across the South and East and endorsed by Braintree District Council is a business support programme which helps small and medium businesses find low carbon solutions to protect the environment.
The initiative offered business grants, capped at £10,000, as well as free training, events and business advice.
The funding helped businesses implement energy efficiency measures, such as upgrading heating, lighting and IT systems, improving building control systems and replacing out of date equipment and machinery.
Businesses were able to reduce emissions and overheads as well as boost their efficiency, competitiveness and profitability through the implementation of these measures.
As well as the savings in greenhouse gas emissions, the initiative is expected to create 11 new jobs.
Skyships Automotive, a company which manufactures high-end cockpit controllers and displays for cars, used its grant to upgrade equipment and systems at its manufacturing site in Braintree.
Mike Dickison, Special Projects Manager at Skyships Automotive Limited, said: “We used the funding to install air-to-air heat pumps and insulation enclosures in an effort to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint. The new equipment is seventy percent more energy efficient than traditional gas systems which means these installations alone will help reduce costs by thousands.”
Cllr Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Inward Investment at Braintree District Council, said: “We know these initiatives help businesses innovate and offer a route which enables sustainability, business growth and profitability to work hand in hand. We would like to thank businesses for their interest in this initiative and for their support in taking on the net zero challenge.”
Over the past 7 years, the Low Carbon Across the South East programme has supported 988 small and medium businesses across East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock and saved over 11,482 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions.
The scheme is now closed to applications.