Past Projects

Business Environmental Forum National Parks Project

The National Parks project is for small businesses based in the North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park within the county of North Yorkshire.

If you are based in the National Parks and need any environmental advice and support please contact Laura Backhouse, Project Co-ordinator on 07789 966783 or email laurab@4sustainable-energy.co.uk for more information.

The three year project which commenced in April 2005, enables small businesses to access free environmental advice and information. Businesses are offered help to identify and reduce their negative environmental impacts and may also be referred to grant schemes and other local and regional support where appropriate.

The Project Co-ordinator can provide environmental audits looking at energy and water usage as well as waste. All participating businesses will become a free member of the Business Environmental Forum with access to seminars, regular newsletters and receive ongoing environmental support.

What we can help with:

• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle - We can help you to find solutions to your waste problems
• Energy Efficiency/Renewable energy - Free site audits, helping you to measure and manage your consumption. Possible grants available
• Legislation - Keep you updated on new and changing environmental legislation
• Sustainable transport - Travel plans, information leaflets for staff and guests
• Staff training - We can provide training for your staff in environmental management and energy efficiency
• Free presentations - We are available to present at events and groups throughout the area, on environmental issues, energy efficiency and the work of the Business Environmental Forum.

This project is funded by the Sustainable Development Fund, which is grant-aided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs through the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities.

Links:

• North York Moors National Park Authority: www.moors.uk.net
• Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk
• Sustainable Development Fund: (in Yorkshire Dales)
• Sustainable Development Fund: (in North York Moors)

For more information on any of the above projects please contact the forum.

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Environmental Technologies Funding

The Business Environmental Forum worked with businesses to identify energy efficient improvements and install energy efficient technologies. The project assisted businesses that were based in rural, upland and coastal (Objective 2) areas of North Yorkshire.

Support was given through a cash grant of up to £1,500 of which the business needed to match equally. The project allowed businesses to turn advice into action and benefit in the long term, with lower operating costs and a reduction in their carbon emissions.

Therese Hamill who was the Project Officer, carried out an initial energy audit within the business, highlighting areas where energy consumption can be reduced and measured. This formed an action plan for the business to implement improvements and within it the identification of energy efficiency installations. Such installations included boiler replacements, lighting and heating improvements, insulation, and water reduction controls. As each business was guided through the action plan, they learned how to formulate an environmental policy and also received help on waste reduction initiatives and staff training.

Please note: This funding has now ended. If you have any enquiries please contact Therese Hamill at therese@4sustainable-energy.co.uk or call 01904 554541.

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Renewables Energy Funding

The Business Environmental Forum promoted the use of renewable energy through the installation of renewable technologies in 28 businesses that were based in rural, upland and coastal (Objective 2) areas of North Yorkshire.

The project was designed to promote awareness and provide information on renewable alternatives for energy use backed up by a cash grant of up to £4,000, which the business matched, to help with the purchase and installation of the technology. Renewable Technologies included for example solar panels, heat pumps, and biomass boilers or stoves.

The purpose of the project was to reduce the consumption of natural resources, such as the burning of fossil fuels and the use of water, by installing renewable technologies in businesses. In doing so the project helped businesses to:

• reduce their environmental impact by taking an innovative approach to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions
• increase their competitive advantage by making financial savings
• improve their image and increase their competitive edge.

Ruth Collins who was the Project Officer supported businesses by:

• producing action plans to reduce their consumption of natural resources through the use of environmental technologies
• implementing action plans that have been produced
• financing the installation of environmental technologies - financial support will be available to enable businesses to implement action plans.

The Business Environmental Forum worked in conjunction with the Energy Partnership through the York Energy Efficiency Advice Centre and Yorkshire Forward's Future Energy Yorkshire to identify the best technology for the businesses.

Please note: Funding has now ended. If you have any enquiries please contact Ruth Collins at ruth@4sustainable-energy.co.uk or call 01904 554541.

See also the case studies page.