Not a day goes by without us hearing mention of Climate Change in one form or another. It’s a broad all encompassing topic which covers almost everything we as individuals and businesses do – from how we travel around, to how we heat and light our businesses and homes, to the products and services businesses sell.
The challenge is to decouple economic growth from the growth in carbon emissions, so that we can move to a low carbon economy – a prosperous and growing economy yet one which has a reduced impact on our environment. Additionally it is important that businesses are able to adapt to some of the now inevitable impacts of climate change and it is likely that it will cost less to take this action now, than in the future.
CWEA is well placed to support the NWDA achieve carbon dioxide savings outlined in “Rising to the Challenge - A Climate Change Action Plan for the North West" and we are working with partners to deliver priority actions for Cheshire and Warrington, which will bring economic growth and sustainable development to the area.
This includes a range of projects:
Climate Change Action Plan
With key stakeholders and strategic partners CWEA has co-ordinated the development of a Climate Change Action Plan for Cheshire & Warrington detailing the roles of different sub-regional and regional organisations, businesses and communities in moving to a low carbon well adapted economy for Cheshire and Warrington. Click here for further information.
Climate Change Business Forum
We have set up a virtual group of business leaders and employees with responsibility within their organisation for Climate Change. The group provides an opportunity for businesses to network and share ideas and best practice as well as stimulate their involvement in taking forward the Climate Change Agenda. We’d be delighted to hear from more businesses that want to get involved particularly from SMEs.
Additionally CWEA was instrumental in setting up the Cheshire & Warrington Climate Change Group which is lead by the chair of the Sustainable Cheshire Forum – made up of key private, public and community sector organisations that come together to exchange ideas, stimulate activity and increase our environmental intelligence.
Business Resource Efficiency
We are running a series of events, with partners such as Groundwork and Visit Chester & Cheshire, to show businesses how to reduce their energy footprint and save money at the same time. Recent workshops have included:
• Greening your Office
• Measuring your carbon footprint
• How to reduce your lighting bills
• How to reduce your heating bills
• Buildings Management Systems
Research
March 2009: CWEA recently published, in partnership with sub-regional local authorities, a study into the economic impacts on businesses of upcoming climate change legislation. This includes analysis of the key sectors at risk in the sub-region but also sectors that can most exploit the economic advantages the move to a low carbon economy presents. Click here to download a copy of the report: The Economic Implications of Climate Change in Cheshire and Warrington.
Feb 2008: CWEA commissioned, in partnership with the sub-regional local authorities, a study to map the key Climate Change activities taking place in the sub-region and to show where there were gaps. Click on the report title to download a copy: Mapping and Gapping – Climate Change Activity across Cheshire & Warrington.
Supporting Capacity Building Projects
CWEA, supported by the Cheshire & Warrington Climate Change Group funded a range of capacity building Climate Change Projects in 2007-08 – more information on these is available on http://www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk/
Climate Change Funds
Foundation Climate Fund is a new fund unique to the Northwest that enables businesses to compensate for their unavoidable carbon emissions by financially supporting projects here in the Northwest and more specifically in Cheshire and Warrington. Three great projects within Cheshire and Warrington have been supported in the lead up to the launch:
• Solar hot water for residents – Weaver Vale Housing Trust
• Solar electricity for the community hall – Bickerton Village
• Cycle to work scheme – Birchwood Park.
Supported by NWDA, United Utilities and other Northwest businesses, Foundation aims to support projects that wouldn’t be able to find funding from other sources. The first call for projects ended on 31st July 2009, with a further call planned later in the year. For further details visit Foundation's new website at http://www.climatefund.org.uk/ where you can find out how businesses can contribute to the fund through their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
NWDA has launched new funding programmes to support the Northwest move to a low carbon economy:
GRAND (Grant for Research & Development) aims to help entrepreneurs and business owners introduce innovative products and processes including research trials and product testing with additional support to SMEs to develop and demonstrate Carbon Reduction technologies.
Grant for Improving your Resource Efficiency: These awards provide enhanced help for capital investment where the project will contribute to reducing Co2 emissions and generate wider environmental benefits in the region. They are discretionary and usually take the form of a grant to SMEs where support from the Carbon Trust cannot be provided.
For information on both of these Grants visit : http://www.nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk/index.php
If you would like to discuss climate change and energy issues within your organisation please contact Kate Radford, Climate Change Programme Manager at CWEA on 01606 734191 or email Kate.Radford@cwea.org.uk.
Links for further information:
Business Support:
Environment Connect: 0845 00 66 88 http://www.environmentconnect.co.uk/ - a one-stop shop for businesses in the North West to get environmental support to ensure that they are energy efficient and minimising their waste. The service is co-ordinated in the region by the Northwest Regional Development Agency and will signpost you to the most appropriate support for your business e.g. through Groundwork, Envirowise, Envirolink or the Carbon Trust etc
Environmental Excellence & Efficiency: http://www.e-3.org.uk/ - free environmental audits to help businesses reduce energy, waste, carbon emissions and to help them use resources more efficiently.
Climate Change
Climate Change Northwest of England: http://www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk/ – for more information on climate change activities in Cheshire & Warrington and the rest of the North West region including a Google interactive map of projects.
