Unlocking low carbon adoption: The Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service

A new Business Energy Advice Service has launched across Warwickshire.

Warwick District Council is one of six local authorities that have successfully contracted Coventry City Council to mobilise and deliver a new business energy advice programme in the county, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service will promote energy efficiency, supporting the creation of a green, growing and sustainable economy across Warwickshire. It is part of the £4.6million Business Growth Warwickshire Programme commissioned in 2023.

The WBEAS package of support offers businesses in Warwickshire the opportunity to:

  • Lower energy costs and reduced exposure to future energy price volatility.
  • Increase productivity and reduce costs by lowering input costs, the cost associated with creating a product or service.
  • Take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
  • Support businesses to learn from each other and collaborate.
  • Reduce costs for businesses.

Following a successful procurement exercise, Coventry City Council has been appointed to deliver the service on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council and Stratford-on-Avon District Council. Coventry City Council will provide support opportunities in our business community through:

  • Promoting awareness of net zero adoption across sectors, including a series of workshops (using practical case studies).
  • Increasing business know-how and understanding to support the implementation of decarbonisation plans.
  • Offering 1 to 1 support from Specialist Environmental Advisors, including an audit to quantify potential carbon savings and development of a decarbonisation plan.
  • Facilitating access for Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SME) to online toolkits – to capture quantified CO2e and associated economic savings.
  • Signposting SMEs to additional services, which include grant opportunities where eligible for implementing decarbonisation & energy efficiency plans.

Councillor Ella Billiald, Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Arts and Economy, said:

“The launch of this new Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service provides businesses in Warwick District with a great opportunity to reduce their energy consumption and access the funding they need to support them with that. This programme of workshops and training, together with access to toolkits and specialist advisors, will really help to upskill our local businesses and ensure that they lead the way in our transition to net zero.”

Cllr Martin Watson, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy, said:

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service, a pivotal initiative driving our county towards a green, sustainable economy. Through strategic collaboration and the support of Coventry City Council, we aim to empower Warwickshire businesses to embrace energy efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock new opportunities. Together, we pave the way for a brighter, low-carbon future."

Warwickshire County Council are also pleased to announce that they have partnered with Zellar to offer Warwickshire businesses a free 1-year license to the Zellar all-in-one online sustainability platform. The Zellar platform analyses your business data to create SMART behavioural and operational recommendations that drive sustained action, cost savings and tangible climate impact. Businesses can access their free 1-year Zellar license by signing up to the Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service.

It is anticipated that the WBEAS support programme will include a Government- funded capital grant scheme to support businesses with low carbon adoption identified within the decarbonisation plans. Updates on this will be circulated once confirmed.

To find out more, please visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/WBEAS. Find out what other support is available to your business by calling Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub on 0300 060 3747 or visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub website at www.cwgrowthhub.co.uk.