Green Business Impact Programme
Businesses across the country are joining the green movement to gain economic benefits and protect the environment. The UK government is committed to transforming all sectors of the UK economy to meet the Net Zero target by 2050, meaning companies emit no more carbon than they absorb.
The Green Business Impact Programme offers up to £15,000 grants and free consultancy for businesses and charities to help save energy costs and reduce carbon footprint.
Simple steps like switching to LED lighting, improving insulation, reducing waste, or changing transport can make a big difference to your business and the environment.
Who is this programme for?
The programme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises, including charities, limited companies and sole traders, with commercial premises in Cambridge, Huntingdonshire, or South Cambridgeshire.
Whether you already have a sustainability plan for your organisation or you want to develop one, you are welcome to apply.
Why participate?
A team of sustainability experts will work with local SMEs to help measure their current environmental impact, understand which activities to prioritise to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, and adopt eco-friendly, sustainable practices.
Participation in the programme is completely free and comes with a grant opportunity of up to £15,000 (or more) to invest in energy-efficient equipment.
When to apply?
The deadline for applications is 31st October but we encourage you to apply early to avail the grant opportunity.
Potential benefits and savings from going green. Source: Ecologi Climate Commitments Report 2023
Interested but want some more information?
Don’t miss this opportunity to make a substantial impact on your business, save money and preserve the environment. Join us on this exciting journey toward a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Leave us your details using the form below and we will be in touch to talk you through the programme and how we can help you and your business.
We also have some FAQs you can browse at the bottom of this page.
Key Facts
- The grant funding is limited and will be disbursed on first-come, first-served basis
- This programme is jointly delivered by Allia and PECT.
- This programme is fully funded so free for you to access. It is a collaborative effort led by Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Growth Hub and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.
Still have questions?
If you’d like more information about the programme please get in touch with the team at hello@alliaimpact.co.uk or sign up to our newsletter to hear about future programmes
FAQs
The grant is for businesses and charities who participate in the Green Business Impact Programme to calculate their energy emissions and develop a Net Zero roadmap.
If an organisation already has a sustainability plan, they can also apply for the grant after their plan has been reviewed by our sustainability experts.
A net zero roadmap is a strategic plan that outlines the steps and actions your business needs to take in order to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. The roadmap will be tailored specifically to your business, taking into account your unique circumstances, challenges, and goals. It will also provide a clear path to reducing your carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency, and embracing sustainable practices, all while aligning with your business’s objectives. Our experts will work closely with you to develop your net zero plan.
The programme typically requires around 12 hours of engagement over 4 to 6 weeks.
Yes, you are welcome to apply even if you don’t have full-time staff.
The grant can be spent on any equipment that’s included in your Net Zero roadmap. This could include LED lights, electric vehicles, insulation, solar batteries, or solar panels.
The grant is typically up to £15,000. The exact amount awarded to the grantee will depend on total project cost, quotations provided, and the discretion of the Grants Approval Committee. If the total cost of your project is more than the grant amount, then you are expected to bear the remaining costs.
In exceptional cases, the grant funding may go higher than £15,000 but only if the grant assessment committee feels there is considerable potential for carbon saving.
Participants of Green Business Impact Programme apply through the application link shared with them towards the end of the programme. The application submitted is reviewed by the Grants Review Committee for final approval.
The approval of the grant application is subject to provision of all required documents and necessary checks, like the anti-money laundering, financial health, and subsidy control checks.
The Green Business Programme is jointly delivered by two organisations:
Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is responsible for the technical elements of the programme. They will provide expertise and guidance on sustainability practices and help you develop the net zero roadmap.
Allia is responsible for managing the grant aspect of the programme. They oversee the distribution of capital grants, helping eligible businesses secure funding for carbon-reducing technology, equipment, or sustainable enhancements.
