Eden District Council, alongside Cumbria Business Environment Network (CBEN) Partnership, is now inviting local businesses to take part in new initiative aimed at helping to reduce their carbon footprint.

The three-and-a-half year ‘Greening Eden’ project looks to support Eden businesses to reduce their carbon emissions, and help save money at the same time.

Firms across Eden will be able to measure their greenhouse gas emissions and, working alongside CBEN to identify opportunities for reduction.

Greening Eden will enable any businesses based in Eden, or whose principal operations are Eden-based, can apply to be considered to find out their carbon footprint to assess the environmental impact of their business.

In February, Eden District Council announced a funding pot of £400,000 to help businesses with works that can help to achieve lower carbon emissions. Applications for grant funding will be welcomed from businesses following an assessment.

David Prentice, Partner at CBEN Partnership said:

“We are delighted to be working with Eden District Council on this project to assist businesses in Eden. Helping businesses to reduce their carbon emissions through assessments and advice, with the added bonus of having a grant available for businesses, we think will have a huge impact in terms of carbon and costs savings for our local businesses.

“Where capital expenditure improvements are identified, CBEN will work with you to prepare the business case for the expenditure, ready for submission to the capital grant fund for the scheme."

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Leader of Eden District Council said:

“It’s normal now for businesses to reduce their carbon footprints and increasingly customers will expect it - going green is good for reputation and saves money, as well as being environmentally responsible.

“Sustainability is at the core of what we do. This scheme will help businesses protect Eden’s prosperity and the natural world.”