Low Carbon Business Support
Thames Gateway South Essex (TGSE) Leading a Low Carbon Economy Programme (LLCEP)
Across South Essex, one of the major challenges facing local businesses right now is to maintain their viability and profitability during a lengthy economic downturn.
To help support business competitiveness over the next three years, the TGSE Low Carbon Economy project will identify both short and long term cost savings via improved energy & resource efficiency.
The programme is funded by the East of England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by a range of delivery partners. It is managed by a partnership comprising of Thurrock Council, Essex County Council, Groundwork South Essex, Southend Borough Council, Basildon District Council, Rochford District Council, Castle Point District Council, Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Thurrock Local Enterprise Agency and National Industrial Symbiosis Programme on behalf of International Synergies Limited.
The programme has business benefit at its heart. The main objective is to help Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of the latest carbon reducing interventions, specifically those which can help make a difference to the bottom line of individual businesses.
A co-ordinated programme of support will be provided, including energy audits for individual businesses on a one to one basis, the development of environmental action plans where required, help to access grants, and other support and expertise to assist businesses to arrive at the best solution for their individual circumstances.
The project will deliver three overarching stages of targeted activity.
Stage 1 - Awareness and Engagement
This stage of the programme is aimed at actively engaging with businesses and their raising awareness of the benefits of greening their business, reducing their carbon footprint and utilities costs, and enhancing business performance through a series of activities including:
- Business Engagement events
- Learning workshops
- Road Shows
- Networking
- Awareness raising initiatives
- The development of a Green Business Pledge
Stage 2 - Diagnostics and Assessment
This stage of the programme is aimed at embedding green management principles within businesses to ensure that they have the ability and capacity to continue to innovate long beyond the life of the programme through a series of activities including:
- Energy audits and diagnostics
- One to one support
- The development of Environmental Action Plans
Stage 3 - Carbon Reduction Solutions
This stage of the programme is aimed at strengthening approaches and designing solutions to achieve low carbon practices in delivering enhanced business activity. Activities include:
- Grants programme
- Advice and guidance of other available grant/loan schemes
- Advice on the delivery of Environmental Action Plans
- Specialist consultancy advice
Contact details
If you would like to register your interest or want to find out more about the programme please contact Andrew Parker at Groundwork South Essex on 01268 752368 or email him on andy.parker@groundwork.org.uk.
TGSE Leading a Low Carbon Economy Programme - a partnership between ERDF/EEDA, Thurrock Council, Essex County Council, Groundwork South Essex, Southend Borough Council, Basildon District Council, Rochford District Council, Castle Point District Council, Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Thurrock Local Enterprise Agency and National Industrial Symbiosis Programme.