by Ian Girling, chief executive, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry

We have a shared responsibility to be aware of and sensitive to our environment and businesses share this responsibility. Whether it’s seeking to reduce our carbon footprint, re-using and recycling or properly disposing of waste and rubbish, there are steps we can all take to help improve our environment and try and reduce the damage we are doing to our planet.

We often think of large industrial chimneys bellowing black smoke in to the atmosphere when we think of polluting the atmosphere. Indeed, the key contributor to global warming within carbon emission is the burning of fossil fuels to produce electricity. However other sources include transportation and energy consumption. And whilst we may think heavy industry when we think about carbon emissions, surprisingly offices and service-based businesses contribute 19 per cent of all commercial energy consumption through lighting, heating, cooling, computers and business travel.

I am delighted announce Dorset County Council have successfully bid for funding an exciting new project to help businesses across the county reduce their carbon footprint. Low Carbon Dorset aims to help improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy and aid the development of new low carbon products. This is a three-year programme to help educate businesses and support the growth of a low carbon economy in Dorset. And the great news is the funding secured by Dorset County Council means it’s free to eligible businesses.

Essentially Low Carbon Dorset will offer businesses technical advice through on-site visits, workshops and training and even funding grants to help businesses improve their carbon footprint. These grants can cover up to 40 per cent of project costs and can range from £5,000 to £250,000. This represents a unique opportunity for businesses to benefit from grant funding at this scale.

Regarding the advice element, a specialist adviser can visit your business and undertake a detailed energy audit of your business operations and can advise on how you can reduce your energy consumption – reducing your energy costs. It’s often surprising to see how much energy specific items of equipment use – so this is an incredibly valuable service. The workshops, being delivered throughout the county, will also provide information to businesses on how they can reduce their carbon emissions, look at specific low carbon opportunities in your sector and see some great ideas that other businesses have implemented.

This programme offers businesses a fantastic opportunity to take positive steps to both reduce your carbon footprint – and save money – at no cost. The grants also offer a fantastic opportunity to perhaps invest in new plant or technology. The programme is also open to the community and voluntary sector, charities and the public sector. Eligibility rules apply to the programme.

To find out of you could reduce your carbon footprint and save money from this free programme, visit www.lowcarbondorset.org.uk