Enabling the business transition to net zero is essential in a rising climate emergency and core to our mission here at Future Leap. As part of progressing this activity in the North Somerset region, we supported 29 local businesses to survey their carbon emissions and generate recommendations for carbon reduction actions through our partnership with North Somerset Council. 

Six of these forward-thinking businesses were successful in accessing additional Council funding to activate our recommendations. This enabled various fully funded sustainable business upgrades, including installation of solar panels, heat pumps, and energy-efficient heating and lighting systems. The third round of surveys has been commissioned and will be delivered by us again – express your interest here for your business to access a free carbon survey and we can get started! 

Four local businesses; Orriss and Low, Outdoors and Active, PanelTech and Walker & Ling, led the way in installing Solar PV systems at their premises after completing the free survey and applying for the additional available funding.

Walker & Ling, Weston-super-Mere’s independent department store expanded on this work has positively impacted their business, and confidence in their carbon reduction plan:

“The Net Zero grant funding has helped us to install a solar array. It’s an expensive project and without this funding we would not have been able to do it. The support and advice, and working with trusted partners, has also been vital in making the project possible. Now we are looking forward to sunnier weather and using our own, clean electricity!” 

They were able to link up with our partners at Solar, Sun & Air to install the sustainable technology, with other short term investment funding accessed through our sister company, Future Leap Finance too. 

Operations Director Ross Larner from PanelTech, based in Clevedon shared:

“Obtaining the Net Zero Business Support grant was instrumental in enabling us to proceed with the solar PV project. Without the financial support provided by the grant, the project would not have been feasible for our business at this time. Rising energy costs are a real concern to small businesses like ours, so being able to proceed with this project will give us much greater certainty as we head into 2025.” 

 Similarly, PB Design Developments were financed to install an air source heat pump and the Theatre Shop Clevedon were able to upgrade to more energy efficient heating and lighting systems.  

Across this round of Net Zero Business Grant programme funding – provided by North Somerset Council’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – 16 organisations have been awarded funding after the completion of 29 surveys by Future Leap to identify carbon-saving opportunities. 

A total of 107 tonnes of carbon emissions are now being saved annually as a result of this collective effort across two rounds of Council funding, an impressive 78.63 tonnes directly cut from the business projects supported in this second round.

Councillor Annemieke Waite, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Climate, Waste and Sustainability, said: “Saving 107 tonnes of carbon annually is a testament to our community’s commitment to making our area healthier, better to live in and fairer for everyone. I’m thrilled to see the positive impact this programme is having on our community and our planet.” 

The UKSPF Net Zero Business Grant programme has been providing financial support and expert guidance to local businesses, charities, and community groups, helping them reduce carbon emissions.

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, said: “Funding upgrades help businesses and community groups reduce their carbon footprint and also make a real difference in minimising operational costs. Congratulations to all the organisations that have taken important sustainability steps to support our local area.” 

______________

North Somerset Council hopes to help even more organisations to embrace sustainability, reduce costs, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A third round of support is soon to be available to access free carbon surveys and recommendations, express your interest via this Forms link from North Somerset Council who will then link you with us. 

_____________

To hear directly from North Somerset Council about this project and the wider programme, click here. 

For more on the Council’s action to respond to the climate emergency, click here. 

To understand what other net zero business support is out there in the North Somerset region, click here. 

For a list of climate grant funding available for your business from the Council and locally represented businesses, click here.