Local businesses account for just over a third of Bath and North East Somerset's carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are excellent business opportunities for local businesses that act now to prepare for the emerging low carbon economy. The importance of business adaption to a low carbon world is highlighted in the Economic Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset 2010 - 2026 (PDF 4.99 MB) in chapter 2: Scarcity of resources; page 10. The advisory bodies below are available to help businesses save money, save energy and reduce their environmental impact.
Business Link
Businesslink.gov.uk is the official government website for businesses of all sizes and provides local help for businesses in the South-West. Its self-help website offers detailed advice on issues such as complying with environmental legislation, writing an environmental policy, setting up management systems, producing environmental reports and using resources more efficiently.
Business Link environment and efficiency information.
Preparing your business for climate change toolkit.
Carbon Trust
Carbon Trust can provide support and advice for small, medium and large businesses wanting to calculate and reduce their carbon footprint, save money and take advantage of the benefits of Green Growth.
The Carbon Trust also has a Energy Efficiency Financing scheme which offers leases, loans and other financing options to all types of organisations and businesses seeking to reduce their energy use.
Environmental labels and claims
Environmental or green claims and labels can help consumers to make informed buying choices, by giving information about the environmental impact and qualities of products or services, either on a product or in marketing materials. But for environmental claims and labels to work well, they must be credible to consumers, clearly understood, and genuinely reflect a benefit to the environment.
Defra provides guidance for business on environmental claims and labels to help business provide clear, useful and accurate information, which is fair and not misleading.
Green claims and labels advice from Defra.
Commercial waste management
Reducing waste and using materials more efficiently could make your company more profitable. Waste costs money and by finding ways to reduce waste, your business could become more profitable. Use the
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) resources with help by sector on resource efficiency and waste reduction including a
confidential interactive tool which identifies the areas that could be improved.
The Council offers a commercial waste and recycling collection service for local businesses.
More information on the Council's commercial recycling service.
For more information and support on running a low carbon business email: development_regeneration@bathnes.gov.uk