£3.4m investment aims to help companies cut their carbon footprint

Businesses in South Yorkshire will benefit from a £3.4m investment to help them reduce their carbon emissions, improve resilience, and protect jobs.

Running until March 2025, the project will provide support to 260 small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham to help them understand the opportunities available to reduce their carbon footprint.

Businesses will benefit from a free energy audit to identify potential energy saving improvements such as low-energy lighting systems or insulation.

Delivered by South Yorkshire’s local authorities, the project is part funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Shared Prosperity Fund allocation.

Low carbon grants are also available to help businesses invest in solutions to reduce their energy consumption and costs, helping them to become more productive, resilient, and environmentally friendly.

Specialist advisors will provide comprehensive advice and support throughout the process.

Councillor Martin Smith, chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee said: “We know many business owners want to reduce energy costs and do their bit for the planet but it can be difficult to plan how to reduce your carbon footprint and find the money to pay for carbon saving measures.

“Specialist advisors will help businesses identify where they can make changes that save budgets and tackle the climate crisis.

“Low carbon grants will bring ideas into action and give businesses the financial support they need to make changes that will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions whilst improving efficiency and resilience.

“This scheme will give owners the confidence and support they need to make sustainable changes to their business.”

Cllr Robert Frost, cabinet spokesman for regeneration and culture at Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, said: “We’re happy that the Barnsley Business Village will be part of the team delivering this project across Barnsley.

“They’ve had great success in the past in helping businesses all across Barnsley to reduce their carbon emissions and work towards net zero, so we’re excited to see that continue.”

Cllr Glyn Jones, deputy mayor and portfolio holder for housing and business, City of Doncaster Council, said: “Doncaster is working hard to become greener faster and meet our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2040, with a significant reduction achieved by 2030.

“Businesses have a big part to play in helping us achieve our goals and this grant offers a real opportunity for businesses to be more environmentally aware and help ensure they are compliant”

Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, added: “Although the impact of climate change is becoming more openly talked about, not every business has the in-house knowledge to begin their sustainability journey.

“This scheme will provide businesses across the borough with invaluable access to low carbon advisors, and some of the funds necessary to make eco-friendly changes to the way the business operates that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise.”