Businesses in Inverclyde are on course to save more than £2.5m on their energy bills with the support of a Scottish Government-funded programme.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been taking advantage of a free service run by Zero Waste Scotland to discover ways they can cut their energy use and reduce carbon emissions.

Marissa Lippiatt, head of resource efficiency at Zero Waste Scotland, said:

“It is pleasing to see so many businesses in Inverclyde deciding to take action to reduce their energy use. Not only does this add profit directly to their bottom line, but it also goes a long way to helping Scotland meet its target to reduce carbon emissions to net-zero by 2045.”

Since the start of 2016, the impartial advice given to companies in Inverclyde has identified £6.4m of potential energy savings through things like heating, lighting and building upgrades.

To help SMEs finance the recommendations the Scottish Government currently provides interest-free loans and cashback grants.

“The actions taken by Inverclyde SMEs to implement our recommendations will reduce their collective carbon output by almost 9,000 tonnes. That’s equivalent to the emissions from 31 million car miles” continued Lippiatt.

Throughout Scotland, companies are on course to make close to £207m of lifetime energy savings with the Highland Council area leading the way with £18m.

More than 720,000 tonnes of carbon emissions can be cut from the atmosphere nationally because of the changes implemented. This would equate to the emissions created from more than two billion car miles or 102,400 journeys around the world.

Marissa said: “We have an increasing number of businesses coming to us for support and advice which demonstrates the growing awareness of the climate emergency and how we can all take steps to make changes.”

Zero Waste Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Business Support Service provides free, independent advice to SMEs, guiding them to introduce more energy-efficient technology.

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and the European Regional Development Fund.

Businesses can apply for an interest-free Scottish Government SME Loan of £1,000 to £100,000 with a maximum cashback grant of £20,000 for eligible measures.

To find out more, or to apply, visit www.energy.zerowastescotland.org.uk.

Alternatively, contact directly by calling 0808 808 2268 or emailing EnergyEfficiency@zerowastescotland.org.uk