Business and Climate Change
Businesses can save money and
resources as well as protecting themselves from the effects of
climate change by accessing the services available to them.
Furthermore, by incorporating sustainable practices companies can
continue to trade with organisations which follow sustainable
procurement practices.
To access research and development funds in the
renewable energy sector contact envirolink who can help
to find funding and help in the application process to
access it.
Small Businesses:
Have you put someone in charge of monitoring
your energy and water use and waste production?
Have you had free professional advice from
Envirowise? (Telephone:
0800 505794).
Have you had advice from
Environment Connect, accessed through Business Link? They can
provide free advice on resource efficiency, energy management,
clean technologies, recycling and sustainable waste management
(Telephone 0845 0066 888).
Have you entered into the Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency CBEN
award scheme?
Larger Businesses:
Have you implemented an environmental
management system in your company?
Have you sought free assistance from the
Carbon
Trust?
Do you know what your climate risks are
and do you actively manage them?
Do you influence your supply chain to reduce
their carbon footprint?
Opportunities
Opportunities exist for organisations and individuals to
capitalise on the growing need for renewable and low carbon
technologies. More information on the technologies currently
available can be found at the Centre for Alternative Technology web
site. Cumbria specific factsheets are available from
CLASP.
Energy Coast West Cumbria
(Britain's Energy Coast) has aspirations to utilise Cumbria's
natural assets to exceed government set targets for renewable
generation while creating high quality employment in the local
area. This could generate significant wealth in the area.
Adapting to climate change
Businesses can make themselves more resilient to the effects of
climate change and prepare themselves to take advantage of
potential business opportunities by following advice available from
the
Environment Agency which now delivers climate change
adaptation advice on behalf of the government.