Growth Hub celebrates £2m Net Zero grant funding offered to local businesses this “Sustainable” September

The Growth Hub reveals more than £2m grant funding will be invested into businesses to support green initiatives across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as the team encourages businesses to kick start their journey to net zero this September.

The Net Zero grants closed earlier this year and the Growth Hub have been busy processing applications so businesses can complete their projects by the end of the year. Grant funding is due to reach £2m unlocking a further £3m from business investment.

The funding is part of the Good Growth Programme, the local delivery for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and aims to help businesses and organisations to commit to decarbonisation by supporting investment to reduce their greenhouse emissions (CO2e).

The Net Zero grant scheme is funding activity such as, low carbon heating measures, EV charging, insulation and energy storage.

Latest figures suggest the investment is on track to support businesses to reduce their emissions by an estimated over 600 tonnes which is the equivalent to producing 436 thousand litres of milk or 302 thousand litres of petrol.

The funding will also help businesses to introduce new technologies, increase productivity and create or safeguard 20 jobs.  

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: “It is great to see over forty businesses put in over £3 million of their own money to support our region’s journey to become carbon neutral. We need everyone in Cornwall to consider what they can do to reduce their impact on the planet, and we all need to take action at home, in the workplace, and across our communities.”

Kirsty Miles-Musgrave, Growth Hub Investment Operations Manager, said: “This September we are focusing on sustainability. In addition to the grant funding, we also have a number of events, workshops and conferences designed to help businesses start or accelerate their net zero journey.”

Find out more about the sustainability focused events and workshops available through the Growth Hub here.