Cutting carbon emissions isn’t just good for the environment – there are a raft of benefits for your business too. Here are five reasons why your business can’t afford to ignore the benefits of producing a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) Report on its Net Zero journey, plus how the Tees Valley Net Zero programme can guide you through the process.
- Demonstrate your commitment to the environment: Consumers and customers are increasingly becoming aware of the environmental impacts of companies – good and bad – and will vote with their feet. Showing your green credentials will help safeguard and grow your customer base and can even help you attract and retain top talent who prioritise sustainability.
- Get ahead on environmental regulations: Any industry has its own environmental requirements and best practices, and these are likely to only become tighter. Businesses need to get ahead of the curve now to ensure they aren’t on the back-foot on the journey to Net Zero. Public policy also means that suppliers bidding for major central government contracts over £5million must produce and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) Report. The NHS has also joined this initiative, mandating all suppliers to publish a CRP Report from April 2024, regardless of contract value.
- Attract more funding and investment : Businesses committing to Net Zero not only meet social value targets but also gain a competitive advantage, attracting new clients and securing profitable projects. For instance, banks provide green loans for sustainable ventures such as renewable energy and eco-friendly buildings. Sustainability-linked loans (SLLs) motivate borrowers to achieve predefined sustainability objectives, promoting economic growth while prioritising environmental responsibility. As part of the Tees Valley Net Zero Programme, businesses who generate a CRP could receive a £2,000 grant towards implementing their carbon-saving activity.
- Attract more funding and investment: Reducing carbon emissions can also lead to efficiency improvements by adopting newer technologies and practices. These can have a significant and direct impact on a company’s finances. For example,transitioning to LED lighting and implementing smart lighting controls can result in substantial reductions in energy consumption. LED bulbs consume up to 75% less energy than traditional lighting sources, leading to significant cost savings on electricity bills.
- Build resilience to climate-related risks: A Carbon Reduction Plan can identify a package of measures to ensure your business is not caught off-guard by future climate issues. These could be management-based to account for uncertainty in the future, or structural measures or adapting natural infrastructure. A medium-sized office complex can install solar panels on its rooftop to generate renewable energy on-site, reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and decreasing its carbon emissions. Having on-site renewable energy generation will also make the complex more resilient to power outages caused by extreme weather, as they can continue to operate with their own power supply.
How the Tees Valley Net Zero Programme can help:
Tees Valley Net Zero offers fully funded support and up to £2,000 grant funding for your business.
You will be supported every step of the way with our Net Zero Advisors and Technical Specialists on hand with online and in-person Net Zero consultations. You will also have access to a new web-based tool that will streamline emission calculation, reporting and even generate a Carbon Reduction Plan for your business.
Access information 24/7 through a suite of online tools and resources, including webinars & masterclasses, as well as factsheets and videos, designed to provide clear, concise insights into Net Zero.
Support is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Tees Valley Net Zero has received £2,130,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is being delivered on behalf of Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority.
The Tees Valley Combined Authority was created in April 2016. Its purpose is to drive economic growth and job creation in the area. It is a partnership of five authorities; Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees, working closely with the business community and other partners to make local decisions to support the growth of our economy. https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/
To find out more and register your interest in the programme, please visit here
