Posted on Tuesday 10th December 2024
Tina Cork, Simon Tagg and Richard Beech
Businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been supported with over £1 million in grant funding and support to help them become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Over the past year, the Green Solutions initiative, run by Staffordshire County Council in association with the Business Energy Advice Service, has provided significant support to local businesses.
So far, 120 businesses have received Carbon Literacy Training, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their impact on climate change.
More than 210 organisations have had energy efficiency assessments, with grants to fund green improvements.
This funding is expected to result in a £1.6 million investment in low-carbon technologies and save 296 tonnes of carbon annually.
Simon Tagg, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure, and Climate Change, said:
“This million-pound milestone is a testament to our commitment to supporting local businesses in their journey towards sustainability.
“The Green Solutions initiative is not only helping to reduce carbon emissions but also driving economic growth in our region.”
Newcastle-Under-Lyme Golf Club is one of the businesses that has received funding through this initiative. Richard Beech, Club Manager said:
"We are incredibly grateful for this funding, as it represents a significant step towards making Newcastle Golf Club greener and more sustainable. This initiative benefits not only our members but also the wider community. Five years ago, we opened our doors to non-members, transforming the club into a social hub for breakfasts, Sunday lunches, and private functions.
“With this investment, we will install LED lightbulbs throughout the clubhouse and replace our old diesel mower with a new electric one, making us one of the first golf clubs in the country to adopt these changes. These small adjustments will have a substantial impact—not just on the golf club and its users, but also on the environment. We estimate that these changes will reduce our carbon emissions by 39,379 kWh and save us £5,513 annually."
The Green Solutions scheme is still open for new enquiries and is committed to working with more businesses to enhance their environmental performance.
Businesses interested in applying for the Staffordshire Green Solutions scheme can find more information at: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/greensolutions.
Click here to watch a video of Simon Tagg and Richard Beech talking about how the funding has made a difference: https://youtu.be/bJ3DttQE7Pc?feature=shared.