Leaders seek green help
Sep 25 2008 By Evening Gazette
BUSINESSES don't know where to look for green energy advice, according to organisers of a packed Greener Business Breakfast organised by Darlington Borough Council.
Around 50 companies from the Tees Valley and beyond crowded the Forum Music Centre yesterday to learn about help available from less obvious sources.
Darlington Council’s Nik Grewer said: "The business climate is getting tougher and companies are concentrating on bringing the money in, they don’t have the time to trawl for green advice."
Among the schemes signposted for delegates was theKnowledge Transfer Partnership, which places highly-skilled graduates with companies.
One placement arranged by CLEMANCE, the Clean Environment Management Centre at Teesside University, resulted in an in-depth energy audit that cut 10% from a large food manufacturer’s energy bills in six months.
Seminar speaker Garry Evans, from CLEMANCE, said: "Green measures can come straight off a company’s bottom line - we are getting more calls now than we did in more profitable times.
"It’s a win-win situation: the companies get a top-class graduate, who often secures a full-time job at the end.
"If companies are looking for a quick fix then a scheme like this isn’t for them. There’s criteria in order to secure the funding and they must be prepared to put a lot into it. But for the right business, it’s a very valuable tool in the arsenal of organisations out there that can help."
RMB Toyota exhibited an electric hybrid Lexus and Toyota Prius at the event, which included an attendee list from banks, solicitors and architects to manufacturers and care homes.
Among those giving presentations were the council, Energy Saving Trust, the Environmental Agency and Business in the Community.
Organisers stayed true to their eco message - no paper handouts were used during the event and delegates were emailed information on request.
