Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Grants To Help Businesses And Social Enterprises Cut Carbon

27th September 2024

Photograph of Grants To Help Businesses And Social Enterprises Cut Carbon

Businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations can now apply to a new Green Grant Fund launched on Thursday 26 September 2024.

The three-year £2.7m fund was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). It provides grants of between £20,000 and £250,000 towards projects that reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the region's net zero ambitions.

The Green Grant Fund is aimed at small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises that have been trading for at least a year and are eligible to pay non-domestic rates. Those in receipt of non-domestic rates relief are also eligible.

Commercial enterprises should have at least five employees in rural areas or ten if they are based in the Inverness area. Social enterprises can have any number of employees.

Applicants should also be following Fair Work Principles including paying their employees at least the Real Living Wage.

The green grants will cover between 10% and 40% of total costs of projects, or up to 50% for eligible applicants in remote and rural areas.

Activities could include improving energy efficiency in production, operations or premises, EV charging points, improving waste management, or sourcing more renewable energy.

Rachel Hunter, HIE's director of enterprise and community support, said, "We've developed the Green Grants Fund to help businesses to benefit from the transition to a net zero region and to generate wider economic benefits such as productivity, turnover and jobs. We are keen to hear from SMEs and social enterprises interested in reducing their environmental impacts while improving their viability prospects."

This is the second round of HIE’s Green Grant Fund. The first round was piloted in 2023 for the creative industries, food and drink and tourism sectors.

Among the recipients was Black Isle Brewery who received support to install carbon capture machinery. Carbon dioxide is naturally released as part of the fermenting process. It’s also required in several processes within the brewing production. The new machine enabled the company to capture the carbon that would otherwise be released and store it for future production use.

Lawrie Wotherspoon, the company’s head of operations, said, "For every kilo of CO2 we’re able to capture, we’re saving two because we’re not buying one and we’re not releasing one."

Trustees of the Scalloway Community and Youth Centre in Shetland meanwhile were able to significantly upgrade their building’s insulation to reduce energy use and save money after receiving a grant from the fund.

The centre is a cornerstone of the Scalloway community, providing vital services for youth, seniors, and various local groups. With 12 part-time jobs, it’s not only an essential social hub but a valuable source of employment.

Trustee and volunteer Sonia Inkster said, "We came back into the building following the insulation works and were delighted at how warm it was. During the summer we could turn down the heating and at times switch it off completely."

More information about the Green Grant Fund is available HERE

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Scottish Aquaculture Industry Gears Up For Aqua Nor 2025Thumbnail for article : Scottish Aquaculture Industry Gears Up For Aqua Nor 2025
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will return to Norway to host the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2025.  The Scottish aquaculture supply chain is invited to register their interest to exhibit as part of the pavilion or join the wider Scottish delegation.  
Dounreay Engineer Wins Young Chemical Engineer Of The YearThumbnail for article : Dounreay Engineer Wins Young Chemical Engineer Of The Year
A young engineer working on Britain's deepest nuclear clean-up project has been recognised by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).   Liam Gordon (27) won the Young Chemical Engineer of the Year award at the annual showcase event of the Aberdeen branch of IChemE, the professional body for chemical engineers in the UK.  
New Support Programme Launched For Food And Drink SectorThumbnail for article : New Support Programme Launched For Food And Drink Sector
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.   Small to medium sized enterprises in the Highland Council area that operate in the food and drink sector and its supply chain are expected to benefit from a new programme of support launched his week.  
HIE Invests In Community Assets In Shetland's Outer IslesThumbnail for article : HIE Invests In Community Assets In Shetland's Outer Isles
A boating club in Unst, a former kirk in Whalsay and a community hall in Fetlar are among projects supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to generate income, provide vital services and create jobs in Shetland's outer isles.   Facilities at the Unst Boating Club are being upgraded to become more energy efficient and accessible to visitors and local people.  
New Fund Announced To Support Growth In Life Sciences SectorThumbnail for article : New Fund Announced To Support Growth In Life Sciences Sector
Up to 50% match funding grants of between £25,000 and £75,000 to help companies accelerate their growth plans.   Life sciences businesses in the Highlands and Islands that are looking to invest in capital growth projects will be able to apply for support through a new fund announced today (18 September).  
John O'Groats Marks 15 Years Of Remarkable TransformationThumbnail for article : John O'Groats Marks 15 Years Of Remarkable Transformation
The transformation at John O'Groats has attracted millions of pounds in investment through private, public and community-led initiatives.   Monday 9 September 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of a masterplan that has helped to transform John O'Groats from ‘Carbuncle of the Year' to a thriving visitor attraction.  
Susan Smith The Chief Executive Of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd Is RetiringThumbnail for article : Susan Smith The Chief Executive Of Cairngorm Mountain Scotland Ltd Is Retiring
The chief executive of Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland) Ltd (CMSL) has announced that she is retiring later this month.   Susan Smith, who has held the top job at the popular mountain resort near Aviemore for the past five years, has told staff she will leave the company at the end of September.  
5/9/2024
Caithness-based Engineering Firm Envision Engineering & Design Ltd Goes For Growth With Latest New EquipmentThumbnail for article : Caithness-based Engineering Firm Envision Engineering & Design Ltd Goes For Growth With Latest New Equipment
Caithness-based engineering firm Envision Engineering & Design Ltd is investing in new technology that will help increase business turnover and productivity while cutting carbon emissions.   The company has purchased a Leica Geosystems mobile 3D scanner after securing a £6,390 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the total cost of £21,300.  
A £5.9m Project To Create A New Whisky Distillery Within The Former Derelict Mill At Castletown In CaithnessThumbnail for article : A £5.9m Project To Create A New Whisky Distillery Within The Former Derelict Mill At Castletown In Caithness
A £5.9m project to create a new whisky distillery within the former derelict Mill at Castletown in Caithness has secured a £250,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Dunnet Bay Distillers Limited (DBDL) is leading the project, which will create 13 jobs.  
50 Plus Jobs Supported By HIE In Caithness And Sutherland In 2023Thumbnail for article : 50 Plus Jobs Supported By HIE In Caithness And Sutherland In 2023
As a result of HIE's support, businesses in the area are set to see combined turnover rise by £22.4m, while international sales will grow by £661,000.   Figures compiled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) show that businesses and communities supported by the agency in Caithness and Sutherland during last financial year are set to create or retain more than 50 jobs.