New scheme helps small businesses go greener

A series of incentives to go greener are being offered to smaller businesses across Surrey

Small businesses are being offered a range of support packages to help them go greener.

Surrey County Council is working with six borough councils to offer help to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Incentives such as a free business decarbonisation assessment and course and a loan could help save firms money on energy costs and drive down emissions, the authority said.

Marisa Heath, the council's cabinet member for environment, said demand for a similar scheme it had run showed "businesses want to be future ready and reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs".

'Big difference'

Heath said the Low Carbon Across the South and East programme had seen 229 SMEs receive more than £1.9m of grant funding towards decarbonisation or green economy projects.

"Small and medium-sized businesses make a significant contribution to the economy in Surrey and we’re delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to help them grow," she added.

The new initiative is being offered in partnership with Woking, Guildford, Waverley, Reigate and Banstead, Spelthorne and Surrey Heath councils.

Guildford Borough Council's lead councillor for environment and climate change, George Potter, said: “Our small and medium-sized businesses play a huge role in our local area and this loan will make a big difference for so many of them."

He said it would help businesses to save money and would also "have a positive effect on our communities, improving air quality and the health and wellbeing of our residents in Guildford".

The scheme has been part funded by the county council and the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.