Cumbria Business Environment Network

Copeland Low Carbon Grant

A grant is available from Copeland Borough Council to encourage Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Copeland to improve the environmental performance of their business through the implementation of low carbon measures e.g. insulation, energy efficient heating and lighting, waste and water reduction. As such, projects supported by this grant will directly contribute to the Council’s objective of building a sustainable low carbon economy that delivers our Energy Coast aspirations.  

The details of the grant are:

  • All SMEs in Copeland are eligible to apply for this grant.
  • Applications for funding under this scheme can be made anytime between 1st April 2011 and 31st March 2012. The budget is limited and the scheme may close earlier to applications once all the funding is allocated.

The grant funding is administered by Cumbria Business Environment Network (CBEN) and the applicant will need to contact them directly to arrange an Environmental Audit of their business prior to application for the grant.

  • The grant is available for 50% of the project costs up to a maximum of £4,000.
  • The grant will be paid in two stages. 50% of the grant will be awarded prior to starting the work. Projects should commence within 30 working days of the initial grant funding being awarded. The balance of the grant will be paid on completion of the project. Copies of invoices and receipts will be required as proof of expenditure.
  • The grant is to be used towards the cost of measures identified in the Environmental Audit – e.g. equipment and installation costs. These purchases should be agreed with your CBEN Advisor. Please note that this grant can only be used for fixed assets.
          The following items are excluded:
                 -  vehicles 
                 -  renewable energy technologies (that are eligible under the feed in tariff or renewable
                    heat incentive schemes operated by central government.)   
  • Projects should deliver carbon savings as identified in your Environmental Audit at a rate of 1.5 tonnes of CO2 savings per £1,000 of grant.
Copeland Borough Council may wish to publicise the awarding of any grant in press coverage or
promotional material.

Current News

Excellence Awards 2012!!

The awards evening will be held on Tuesday 27th March, so we are now inviting nominations for Excellence Awards .....
more details


Press Release - CBEN networking event helps Cumbrian businesses go green ....
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Press Release - CBEN Awards Ceremony 23rd March 2011 .... more details

Copeland Council Launch Low Carbon Grant to SME's .... more details

CBEN win NFEA Green Agency of the Year Award .... 
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Keep up to date with current environmental issues and regulations using these links:
CBEN Newsletter - latest version
Green Intelligence - NW Business Environment News
NetRegs  Environmental Regulations

Since 2006 CBEN have identified the following savings in Cumbrian businesses that we have worked with

£21.5m  of cost savings
75,500 tonnes of CO2 savings 
111,800 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill
182,000 tonnes of materials saved 
846,000 m³ of water saved