Sheffield City Council announced that the Low Carbon Business Support Programme has supported 290 businesses to improve their energy efficiency since August 2023.
The £1.3 million plan was aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses across South Yorkshire to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs.
It offered Sheffield Businesses support from specialist advisors to better understand where they could save energy, as well as a grant to cover the costs for energy saving interventions, such as solar panels.
Since 2023, the low carbon project is estimated to have reduced carbon emissions by 1,535 tonnes, saving businesses over £900,000.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Policy Committee said: “It shows the council is serious about trying to help small businesses to improve their green footprint, it gives them cause for thought that in itself, delivers a benefit.”
“It’s not going to deliver a massive improvement in the city’s carbon footprint, but it will help, and it will make people think, what else could they do?”
The plan was financed by the Shared Prosperity Fund, a government funded program that provides investment to support local businesses and economic growth in economically disadvantaged areas.
This comes as part of a number of actions in an effort to reduce emissions in the business and industry sector across the city, which also includes an investment in Sheffield based community organisations to improve their energy efficiency.
One of the businesses where the Low Carbon Project was implemented, Barkers Furniture, was awarded a £19,000 grant to install solar panels and ceiling insulation after a survey revealed high energy usage due to inefficient temperature regulation.
Alexia Barker, the Director of Barkers Furniture said: “We can already feel the difference in our showroom, and we know that the solar panels are going to make a massive difference.”
“This initiative not only underscores Barkers Furniture’s commitment to sustainability but also serves as an inspiring model for other local businesses.”
The project is coming to an end, but is under review for renewal depending on the allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund, which has since been cut by approximately 35% according to Cllr. Smith.