Green options for business

Search: More tips on making your business environmentally friendly

Search for a green energy supplier
- Get a business mortgage

Climate change is an increasingly topical issue. In the years to come, legislation to enforce low energy consumption, taxes on emissions and incentives to adopt sustainable initiatives are likely to become commonplace. By staying ahead of the game and becoming ecologically conscious sooner rather than later, a business could save significant sums of money.

Savings from lower energy bills is one benefit, while firms that propose ambitious projects are entitled to substantial grants.

• Current renewable energy schemes for businesses include: - Solar panels:

• convert light into electricity, supplying up to half of a business' energy needs over a year - Wind turbines:

• can power a business, an entire building, even a small community -Ground source heat pumps:

• use underground heat to warm water or heat buildings - Biofuels:

• are a carbon neutral source of energy, made from plants that absorb carbon dioxide – likely to be used as fuel for vehicles in the near future - Solar water heating:

• can produce half of hot water needs over a year, using light to heat water Some of these initiatives can be initially expensive to install, though offer longer-term cost and environmental benefits.

In order to fund such projects, there are a plethora of business finance deals on the market, though the government and leading organisations also offer incentives and grants for altruistic firms that commit to green schemes. Grant schemes for businesses in the UK include:

- Department for Trade & Industry's Low Carbon Buildings Programme:

• £18 million fund for companies that employ micro-generation techniques using solar panels, wind turbines, bio-energy and so on - Support for Scottish Businesses from the Energy Savings Trust:

• Offers funding, advice, audits and training to small businesses considering energy-saving initiatives in Scotland

- Northern Ireland Project Fund:

• funds green business projects in Northern Ireland