BUSINESS SUPPORT

The Government is helping UK business to address sustainable development issues more effectively and exploit the commercial opportunities.

Tackling climate change and using resources more productively are priorities. Support for business is being provided through a portfolio of incentives, technology and best practice programmes and business advice services. 

Tackling Climate Change

Carbon Trust

Established to take the lead within the UK in supporting the development and adoption of low carbon technologies. It manages the Action Energy programme and the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme for energy efficient technologies and is developing a new low carbon innovation programme. 

It is funded by DEFRA and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and managed by a not for profit company

Action Energy

Provides information, advice, practical help and financial support to help businesses and organisations of all sizes save money by improving their energy efficiency. It includes support especially tailored to help smaller businesses including:

• simple, practical information on easy to implement no-cost and low-cost measures
• free telephone advice on what your business can do to save money on energy
• site surveys from a local energy efficiency adviser
• interest free loans to fund energy saving projects.

It is funded by DEFRA and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and managed by the Carbon Trust. The service for small business is delivered in partnership with the Energy Savings Trust and local Energy Efficiency Advice Centres. 

UK Emissions Trading Scheme

The world's first economy wide greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme - this site provides information on emissions trading, and on the scheme and how it works.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme will introduce emissions trading for carbon dioxide across Europe from 1 January 2005. A public consultation on methodology was completed in October 2003. Member States must submit a National Allocation Plan (NAP) by 31 March 2004. There will be a public consultation on the UK's draft NAP in early 2004. 

Climate Change Projects Office

Provides advice and support for UK business interested in carrying out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects abroad, as well as to companies looking to invest in projects in the UK 

Other relevant sites include: Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance Programme, Cleaner Vehicles, and Renewable Energy.

Waste Minimisation, Re-use and Recycling

Envirowise

Technology transfer and best practice programme that helps British business save more than £100 million every year through waste minimisation and more efficient use of resources, includes:

• Fast Track Visits for SMEs to identify and realise savings quickly
• Helpline - Free, confidential and independent advice
• Waste Minimisation Clubs - Local businesses meeting and sharing best practice
• Publications and website - Best practice guides, case studies and benchmarking

It is jointly funded by DTI and DEFRA, and managed by AEA Technology and TTI Ltd.

Sustainable Technologies Initiative

Supports collaborative projects to improve the sustainability of UK business. Key themes of the programme include:

• Step changes (4-10 fold improvements) in the efficient use of resources in processes and products
• Reduced hazardous material content or output products and processes
• New products and processes and service concepts which increase the useable life of products
• Associated sustainability research

Funded by DTI, DEFRA, BBSRC, EPSRC and ESRC and managed by Oakdene Hollins Ltd.

Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

Established to drive the creation of new markets for recycled materials and to promote the development and take-up of new recycling technologies. 

It is funded by DEFRA, DTI and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Other relevant site: Landfill Tax Credit Scheme