Fund launched to help firms save money and the environment
COMPANIES throughout Yorkshire will soon be able to improve their resource efficiency programmes following the launch of a £10m fund by Yorkshire Forward.
The investment, which will be delivered over the next three years, is designed to help regional firms improve competitiveness by adopting more efficient use of resources.
A key element of the project is the alignment of support and investment to develop the demand for resource efficiency improvements, new environmental technologies and services with support to grow the availability and capacity of environmental services providers such as recyclers or consultants to deliver on this demand.
Resource Efficiency Yorkshire (REY) will head the programme on behalf of the regional development agency.
It includes a capacity building scheme to ensure that all business support organisations, particularly Business Link Yorkshire, have the knowledge and skills needed to provide any business with appropriate resource efficiency advice.
Mike Smith, head of sustainable development for Yorkshire Forward said:
“Efficient use of resources like energy and raw materials can make a significant reduction in business outgoings at a time when companies are trying to combat the recent high growth in operating costs.
“This investment by Yorkshire Forward and the European Union will mainstream the provision of resource efficiency advice and support through Business Link Yorkshire.”
Andrew Hartley, programme director of Resource Efficiency Yorkshire said that funding was an unprecedented commitment to help the regions businesses capitalise on cost reduction opportunities and growing environmental markets.
“REY foresees a future where we decouple economic growth from resource use and its environmental impact,” he added.
“But this can only be done by creating new businesses, jobs and attracting investment in new generation environmental businesses that service the needs of all businesses in the region that want to green their operations.”
Funding for the project is made up of £5.8m from Yorkshire Forward and £4m from the European Regional Development Fund.
