Cambridge City Council is launching the Cambridge Green Business Grants scheme to help businesses in commercial premises in the city that are registered for business rates. Allia is working with Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce to manage the grants on behalf of the council. The grants can be used for improvements such as better insulation, energy management systems, solar photovoltaic panels, low-energy lighting and water-saving measures. No ‘match-funding’ is expected, though businesses may choose to top up the grants with their own money for larger carbon-saving projects.
Businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications providing all the necessary details will be assessed as they are received. Although the application deadline is 11 March 2022, the scheme may close earlier, once all the funding has been awarded.
Grants will be paid to successful applicants by 31 March 2022 and recipients will need to complete the improvements within the following year.
This scheme follows the council’s adoption last year of a new and ambitious Climate Change Strategy, which outlines a vision for Cambridge to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. Since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, the council has continued to support businesses in the city to take their own steps towards effecting change that will reduce carbon emissions across the city and the wider region.
The Cambridge Green Business Grants are being managed on behalf of the council by the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce and social and environmental business support specialists, Allia. It also provides an opportunity for businesses to discuss measuring, monitoring and improving their carbon footprint.
Vic Annells, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “If your business is planning a project to reduce carbon emissions and minimise waste, then we are here to help. You can save energy, save money and help save the planet by visiting our Cambridge Green Business Grants web pages.”
Cllr Mike Davey, Executive Councillor for Finance and Resources, said: “We’re very pleased to have launched the Cambridge Green Business Grants scheme, and would urge all eligible businesses to take a look at what they do, and see how one of these grants could help them make improvements to reduce their carbon emissions. Local businesses of all sizes can play a huge part in helping the city reach our vision of becoming a net zero carbon place.”
The Cambridge Green Business Grants scheme sits alongside other government-funded support to help businesses to bounce back from the Coronavirus pandemic. The council is also making arrangements to provide additional support (announced by the government just before Christmas) to businesses based in Cambridge who have been impacted by the Omicron variant. For more details, visit www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus-financial-support-for-businesses.
Businesses can find out more and make an application by visiting the Cambridge Green Business Grants website at www.greenbizgrantcam.co.uk