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Businesses

Businesses, large or small, are under pressure to conserve energy by reducing their own energy consumption through energy conservation measures and to reduce their overall carbon footprint by reducing the amount of packaging and the distances their goods travel for example. 

Large businesses (over 250 employees or annual turnover more than euro50m) are required to undertake an ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme) assessment every 4 years, if they are not already ISO5001 compliant.  These assessments are audits of the energy used by their buildings, processes and transport to identify cost effective energy saving measures.

Energy conservation and reducing carbon footprint does not only involve big expenditure and small changes to working practices can save energy and money making the business more efficient. A good resource for businesses of any size is the Carbon Trust , but there are other bodies and organisations offering free and impartial advice to businesses (e.g. Waste Directory for all Businesses).

Climate Ready provides tools and information to help businesses and other organisations live with the changing climate, now and in the future.

Information and Advice

Sustainability East have produced an information guide about adapting to climate change for small and medium sized businesses.

Carbon Trust offers a host of information ranging from interest free loans, through advice on energy management, to comprehensive information on changes in policies and innovations in technology.

The Energy Saving Trust has a wealth of information to help organisations reduce their energy use and useful tools such as Fleet Health Check.

The Environment Agency can help you protect your business against flooding by providing guidance on how to prepare a flood plan.

The Federation of Small Businesses provides information to help small businesses reduce their environmental impact.

The Government provides free advice to businesses just about to start through to those well established on their waste and environmental impact.

WRAP provides advice on resource efficiency, water efficiency, recycling and waste.

NetRegs provides advice to SMEs with a focus on environmental legislation.

DEFRA have produced a report on the benefits to small and medium sized enterprises of implementing an Energy Management System such as ISO 14001 

IEMA  explains different Environmental Management Systems schemes and standards which are available for businesses

DECC provides information on Green Deal loans for energy saving measures for your business

Regional Resources

Low Carbon Workspaces offers eligible small and medium sized enterprises in Hertfordshire grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 to cover a third of the cost of installing energy saving measures, such as LED lighting, insulation or heating controls.

Hertfordshire County Council's contractors Amey have introduced a trial service offering commercial waste facilities for local businesses. Small to medium scale traders can recycle certain waste types, or dispose of general waste, at a competitive price. 

Three Rivers District Council offers advice and services specifically focused on trade recycling schemes.

Building Futures aims to provide practical and user friendly advice to property developers on how to make development more sustainable.
How green is your home? Explore our interactive house for money saving tips and suggestions.