Rossendale Council in partnership with the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, have held a climate change business breakfast event – Destination Net-Zero.
27 businesses from across all industries and sectors attended the event to find out more about how they can reduce their carbon footprint and ways to reduce their soaring energy bills. According to the national target – to keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C, emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. This means that all businesses need to play their part to reduce emissions to slow the rate of climate change. Leah Armitage, Rossendale Council’s Economic Development officer talked to businesses and community organisations about the Carbon Reduction Fund that is available to them to help with renewable energy technologies, battery storage, lighting and controls, GAS LPG or oil boilers, heat-pumps and air conditioning, infrared and electric heating, heating and cooling controls.
Dr Steve Wright – Director of Academic Standards at Nelson and Colne College Group and Sobia Khurram – Energy and Environment Advisor within East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce’s Sustainability Team were also there to talk about their projects, programmes and offers. Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of the Council said: “It was great to see so many businesses attending this event and interested and actively looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint. “The information presented by Rossendale Borough Council, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Nelson and Colne College Group for the businesses was really useful and I’m sure will be crucial in their drive towards being a net-zero business.”
Rossendale Council declared a ‘climate emergency’ in 2019. They pledged to make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon by 2030 and to work in partnership to reduce carbon emissions for the whole of Rossendale.
Miranda Barker OBE, CEO of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chamber of Commerce work for our members, but also for every business and the economic community across East Lancashire, to support all of our businesses to be more profitable.
“At this moment there is nothing more key to supporting that profitability than managing our energy prices, it is really a matter of survival now. As is being able to supply an increasing number of customers who require a Carbon Reduction Plan. “Destination Net Zero supports businesses to gather carbon footprint data, provides an onsite carbon review from the Chamber’s expert team, then construct and implement a detailed Carbon Reduction Plan.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for ANY business to benefit from fully funded support to reduce their energy bills, improve efficiency and prepare for a Net Zero future.”
Rossendale businesses looking for any support can contact Rossendale Council’s Economic Development Team at EconomicDevelopment@rossendalebc.gov.uk or call 01706 252483.