22 May 2009

£2million Fund for Action on Climate Change

A £2million fund has been launched today, providing grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 to new projects that can demonstrate significant carbon savings - accelerating the Northwest region’s transition to a low carbon economy.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is inviting expressions of interest in The Carbon Challenge Fund, which is targeting organisations and businesses that show an innovative and replicable approach to energy efficiency, renewable energy, low carbon transport and construction. 

The NWDA has made up to £2 million available to the fund, which is a key part of the Northwest Climate Change Action Plan. The Action Plan is the document that sets out the Northwest's mission to become the leading region on climate change by 2020, and is being delivered by the group of organisations that make up Northwest Climate Change Partnership

 The deadline for expressions of interest is 3rd August 2009.  These will be submitted to Envirolink Northwest, the NWDA funded sector development organisation for the energy and environmental technologies and services sector, which is managing the applications process.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at the NWDA said:

“The Carbon Challenge Fund represents a key part of the Agency’s commitment to creating a low carbon economy in England’s Northwest. As a powerhouse of innovation, the region has a sound knowledge base that will ensure businesses and the public sector are able to demonstrate leadership in dealing with climate change whilst improving efficiency and therefore reducing costs and increasing green credentials.

“The Northwest Climate Change Action Plan sets out the importance of engaging businesses and the public sector, supporting the adoption of low carbon products and services, while the new fund will enable an even greater number of organisations to develop these important technologies.”

Ross Dixon from Envirolink Northwest, which will be receiving applications on behalf of the NWDA said:

“We’re asking applicants to submit projects that demonstrate innovation either through the technologies themselves or their overall approach. We’re looking for projects which will bring profile and recognition to the region with ideas and approaches that can be replicated here in the Northwest, across the UK and internationally.  

“This project is another opportunity for the Northwest to maintain its strong leadership in addressing climate change in a way that can be emulated by others, as well as helping us make the move towards a low carbon economy as set out in the Climate Change Action Plan.”

For further information on The Carbon Challenge Fund please contact Ross Dixon on 01925 856040, email r.dixon@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk or visit www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk

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For further press information please contact:

Lucy Bradwell, Communications Manager, Envirolink Northwest
Tel - 01925 856053
Email - l.bradwell@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk 

Note to editors

Envirolink Northwest is the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) funded organisation whose aim is to develop the Northwest of England’s environmental technology and services sector by making it a competitive force to provide sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

Its aims and objectives are to: raise the profile of the Northwest’s environmental technologies and services sector in local, national and global markets; help the Northwest’s environmental suppliers to find and win new business; stimulate the formation of partnerships and consortia to address market opportunities; provide a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience; improve the competitiveness of the sector; and assist in links with the NWDA and other regional/national bodies.

In addition to The Carbon Challenge Fund, the NWDA is supporting a number of carbon reduction initiatives:

• £4.4m has been approved for  ‘Grant for Improving your Resource Efficiency’ a programme which is designed to help SME’s fund investments in the most environmentally friendly capital equipment

• £2.2m has been approved for additional projects under ‘Grant for Research and Development’ to encourage the development and demonstration of carbon emission reducing technologies.

• Launched earlier in the year, Foundation, managed by Groundwork Northwest, has been established to give individuals and business the chance to donate to local community projects across the region that are helping to combat climate change. The NWDA has approved £1.6m towards the initiative.

For further information visit www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk
 
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life

For further information please contact Shelley Tattersall, Press Officer on 01925 400256 or mobile 07500 128482 or shelley.tattersall@nwda.co.uk

For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press