For the latest low carbon business events, news and funding opportunities.
Help us map the local trends in pro-environmental business
Did you know that 3 in 10 businesses in our region already supply low carbon goods and services? Every year the East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey includes a series of our questions about pro-environmental business needs and interests.
The Q1 QES for 2021 is now live. It only takes 5 minutes to complete and provides invaluable data that helps regional stakeholders plan their support provision to help green business. Follow this link to complete the survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6VFNQ6J
Events
Electric Vehicles: Reducing Business Transport Carbon Emissions
Thursday 18th March from 3:00 – 5:00pm
This event will explore how to reduce pollution through clean, low carbon and reliable transport and why it makes complete business sense to start today.
This session will:
- Explore best practices, current challenges, and opportunities for the use of electric vehicles for business.
- Bring together businesses already using electric vehicles with those considering the option.
- Provide the opportunity for business to find out what it means to run electric vehicles on a day-to-day basis.
- Inform businesses about the support available to adopt EVs within their operations.
The event features contributions from forward-looking, knowledgeable, and inspirational guest speakers. For more information on this event, visit Electric Vehicles – Latest events – University of Derby
Green Entrepreneurs Fund – Launch Event
Wednesday 17th March 9:00 – 10:00am
This event launches Derbyshire County Council’s Green Entrepreneur Fund. Speakers will discuss how their organisations are supporting carbon reduction in Derbyshire and what the fund has to offer pro-environmental entrepreneurs in Derbyshire.
To register or find out more information about the event and fund, visit the page below:
NTU Roundtables Events
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) are offering a series of Sustainability Round Table lunch events in February and March to support businesses implement sustainability. Each Roundtable has two events. For more information on these events, visit the following link to the LCBN events pages: https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/spring-news-events/
Developing Leadership & STEM Skills
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire SMEs can benefit from two new University of Derby programmes. One focuses on helping develop leadership and management skills within your business, while the other improves the STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and maths) of your employees.
For more info:
NTU SAIL events
Nottingham Trent University’s Sustainability and Inclusive Leadership (SAIL) course is a great opportunity for participants to undertake carbon literacy training (certified by The Carbon Trust) to help businesses embed sustainability and low carbon practices.
The NTU SAIL events are taking place on Tuesday 2nd March and Wednesday 3rd March. For more information, visit https://www.ntu.ac.uk/business-and-employers/support-for-smes/growing-your-business/high-level-skills-for-smes/priority-skills-for-d2n2-smes
Support opportunities
Student placement and internship opportunities
The University of Derby offers various ways to access student placement and internship opportunities. For example, Helen Bee is an LCBN member who received valuable support from one of our students, says ‘James produced a series of brilliant videos for us that we have been using to successfully promote our products and business online’. Here is a link to the Clean-Living YouTube channel so that you can see the results for yourself https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwPP3rtN-DMEd7ytndf7iPw
The Derby City Electric Van Experience (EVE) allows Derby-based businesses to test drive a range of electric vans. There is a small registration fee (depending on the size of the business) but the vehicle use is free. It is being run via Nottingham Electric Vehicle Services.
There is an EOI for businesses to complete and also very useful FAQs at:
https://www.derby.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/electric-vans/frequently-asked-questions/
More information is available here:
https://www.derby.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/electric-vans/electric-van-experience/
Funding & Finance Opportunities
The Low Carbon Business Network website have an updated webpage including all the funding and finance opportunities for SME’s. For more information on the various funding and finance, visit https://www.lowcarbonbusiness.net/funding-finance-for-pro-environmental-business-05-11-2020/
Useful Resources
Energy Saving Trust Resources
Energy Saving Trust have launched a widget which helps a business determine whether an electric van would be a viable option. This is available on the first of the links provided below. A range of other resources are available from Energy Saving Trust on ultra low emission fleet options are provided below,
How electric vans can reduce fleet emissions – Energy Saving Trust
Search for the right electric vehicle for you – Energy Saving Trust
Buying a second hand electric car or van – Energy Saving Trust
Choosing ecargo bikes to make last mile deliveries – Energy Saving Trust
EST007-01-ESTDFT-Electrifying-last-mile-deliveries-guide-WEB-02.pdf (energysavingtrust.org.uk)
More useful resources for SME’s
SME Climate Hub provides a very useful database of tools aimed at SMEs – https://smeclimatehub.org/tools/
The SME Climate Hub has partnered with Oxford University to bring businesses the tools and resources needed for measuring your emissions, developing your climate strategy, reducing your own emissions and the emissions in your value chain, and identifying appropriate offset projects. The tools and resources range from interactive tools, guides, case studies, webinars and reports and will be expanded over time and specific recommended tools will be highlighted.
Why now could be a good time to DE-Carbonise
A newly established blog discussing why now is a good time to contribute positively towards the UK’s plan to be low carbon by 2050. But why not act now? Have a read of this blog if you would like to understand why becoming low carbon is increasingly important and how you can contribute towards this:
https://blog.derby.ac.uk/2021/02/why-now-could-be-the-right-time-to-de-carbonise/
Requests from Members
If your business has future events, business support webinars, or you have been made aware of something interesting which relates to the environment, sustainability, low carbon schemes or funding opportunities, we would love to hear from you. Email us on lowcarbonbusiness@derby.ac.uk and we are happy to promote these through our social media.
Communications
The LCBN team keep their followers updated on Social Media, including future events, last minute business support sessions and other general information on sustainable business. If you wish to be involved and updated on all things environmental, follow us on Twitter – @CarbonDerby
