Count down for applications begins as Carbon Trust calls for new industry champions

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08 December 2006
The Carbon Trust today announced the last call for organisations to apply for the next wave of Networks funding, as it enters its four week countdown. Recently revised funding bands of up to £30,000 or £140,000 are on offer for those organisations keen to take action on climate change. To apply for the funding, applicants are required to produce a detailed plan outlining how their initiative will deliver demonstrable carbon dioxide emissions savings, by 9 January 2007.

Reflecting on success to date the Carbon Trust praised eight pioneering trade organisations for achievements in the promotion of energy efficiency, through initiatives funded by the inaugural phase of the Carbon Trust Networks programme. An official gathering was held in central London to celebrate the completion of the year-long projects, supported by grants of £20,000. The range of initiatives showcased reflected the programme aims to support a wide variety of member activities providing they result in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

These pathfinder organisations have worked with their members and affiliate organisations to achieve carbon dioxide savings throughout their respective industries. The Networks Programme supports groups who wish to launch awareness raising campaigns highlighting the cost of wasted energy and carbon emissions. The funding also backs the development of specific technical guidance and toolkits, designed to help industries manage their carbon reduction measures and overall energy use more effectively.

Previous Carbon Trust funding enabled the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management to incorporate energy conservation into their swimming pool management course. More than 2,000 leisure centre employers took part in this year’s training – highlighting the importance their members place on energy efficiency. Similarly, the Engineering Employers Federation used its £20,000 to roll out ten regional energy workshops. More than 170 manufacturers (who between them cover an estimated 500 sites) attended to learn more about benchmarking and managing their energy spend, with tips on process improvements as well as how to better manage their own heating and lighting systems.

Karen Germain, Networks Manager at the Carbon Trust, said, “It’s great to see these initial projects beginning to drive sector participation in the fight against climate change. We believe that trade and professional bodies have an important role to play in championing carbon reduction measures amongst their member businesses and colleagues, and are keen to receive proposals from other bodies looking to devise programmes to help their members tackle climate change. We’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more to contact us.”

Other trade and professional or members bodies are now being encouraged to help their members tackle climate change - with offers of Carbon Trust funding to support initiatives which will cut carbon emissions. Interested organisations should visit www.carbontrust.co.uk/carbon/networks to find out more details about the programme.

 
 
Footnotes
 

Notes to Editors

The Pioneer congratulatory event was held in Kensington, London, on 16 November. Eight organisations were recognised:

  • Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
  • Energy Systems Trade Association
  • Engineering Employers Federation
  • British Compressed Air Society
  • Lighting Association
  • Petrol Retailers Association
  • BSRIA
  • Fresh Produce Consortium UK

The Carbon Trust

  • The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies. An independent company set up by Government to help the UK meet its climate change obligations, the Carbon Trust creates practical business-focused solutions to carbon emission reduction on energy efficiency, carbon management, and investment.
  • The Carbon Trust's annual funding is in excess of £100m in grants from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest NI.
  • For more information on the Carbon Trust visit www.carbontrust.co.uk or call the Carbon Trust on 0800 085 2005.