The increasing cost of energy bills combined with concerns about the environmental impact of carbon emissions provides plenty of reason to take steps to reduce energy consumption and waste production now and in the future, and benefit from the associated reduction in costs and carbon footprint.
Once you have fallen for the UK's greenest city you will probably want to keep it that way and you will find plenty of encouragement here in Sheffield; at the beginning of 2007 the city showcased its green credentials with Sheffield Is My Planet Week, the first in an annual series of events to highlight key environmental issues of importance to South Yorkshire. The inaugural event brought Al Gore and his award winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth to the city.
Funding
The Bio-energy Capital Grant Scheme offers funding for large scale projects deploying biomass fuelled heat/combined heat and power projects, and capital grants between £25,000 and £1million are awarded towards the cost of equipment in complete installations.
If you are investing in plant or machinery, investigate the potential of Enhanced Capital Allowances, which allow companies to claim up to 100% first-year capital allowance on qualifying investments. Energy-saving plant and machinery, low carbon dioxide emission cars and refuelling infrastructure as well as water conservation plant and machinery are included.
Advice
Practical advice and information is available from many places including South Yorkshire Green Business Club, but if you are unable to attend, have a look at the information from the Energy Saving Trust, Business Climate Champions, Carbon Trust, Envirowise, Waste Matters, Business Link and Business in the Community (BITC).
To get the best out of your energy suppliers consult energywatch, and to find out best practice on IT recycling take a look at Computing Magazine's Green Computing Charter. The Low Carbon Innovation Network is a virtual and physical forum for senior managers to learn about new developments and best practice in reducing carbon emissions for the business.
If you are trying to reduce the levels of waste your business produces, and the cost of disposing of it have a look at Why Waste, or find a recycling service through Wrap.
Property developers should take the time to find out about BREEAM - the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.