The metrics that you have provided have been used to generate an estimation of your carbon footprint in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2) annually. Measuring and understanding your carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. The tailored actions recommended below can help you get started.
Please note that you have not included any information regarding your business ( Travel / Materials / Water ) use. Your business may not have any emissions in this category, but most do. Where you haven’t provided relevant information, this carbon footprint will not give you an accurate estimate of your business’s emissions and your action plan may not recommend some relevant actions to your business.
If you are having difficulty locating the information required there are actions below that can help you get started
The actions provided cover the impact areas of energy, travel, materials and waste as well as some more strategic actions that address your business model. If you choose to share, download or save your report, you will be prompted to register so that you can return to update either your carbon footprint metrics, track the actions you have implemented or share your plan with colleagues.
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Your Green Team, with oversight of a member of the senior management team, will take ownership of this plan, share it with all staff and set an ambitious but achievable timeframe for putting further measures in place.
Give each action in this plan an ‘owner’.
Establishing clear ownership of this plan is an important first step and will help give priority to the actions needed in order to decarbonise your business.
Consider allocating an appropriate budget for implementation of this plan
Staff engagement
Arrange for your Green Team and other relevant staff to undertake Energy Management training with the SEAI or Skillnet Ireland. By changing behaviours within the workplace, businesses can lower operating costs while reducing energy intensity, which is vital for combatting climate change.
The SEAI Energy Academyis a free online training resource offering modules focussed on important areas of energy efficiency and management.
The Climate Ready Academy Energy Leaders Programme equips businesses and energy professionals with expertise on how to reduce energy waste, optimise cost savings, and protect the environment.
The SEAI Introduction to Energy Management: Creating an Energy Action Plan Training assists businesses with writing an energy action plan, tracking their energy use, and developing an energy management strategy.
The Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Leaders Programme aims to drive and assist businesses and Sustainability professionals to embrace responsible and sustainable business practices towards a decarbonised economy.
Energy
Staff engagement
Recording energy use gives you a baseline against which to measure all improvement actions taken. SEAI’s Energy Management Guide for Small Business can be a useful guide to getting started with monitoring your energy use.
Use communications tools to promote awareness and support staff to be more energy efficient
Communications will include:
The Skillnet Ireland Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Pass is a free online self-study modular programme designed to support all staff of all disciplines and skill levels to improve sustainability awareness and encourage best sustainability practices.
SEAI offers workplace resources like downloadable sticker templates and posters to assist with encouraging sustainable energy use behaviours amount staff:
The Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Leaders Programme aims to drive and assist businesses and Sustainability professionals to embrace responsible and sustainable business practices towards a decarbonised economy.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Energy
Staff engagement
The journey to zero emissions will be a demanding one and will likely require strategic investment over time. However, introducing some low-cost energy-saving measures identified through your training can help you make early progress, save your business money and set you on a path to lowering your carbon footprint.
Consider:
Review all potential opportunities in SEAI SME Guide to Energy Efficiency
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers, and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, loans from €25K to €3m, unsecured up to €500K, over terms from 7 to 10 years.
The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €750 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
An investment in energy efficiency – however small – will help drive increased competitiveness and build resilience to the headwinds of market uncertainty and energy price volatility.
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
Having an external expert examine the energy use and wider operations of your business can help you to plan for further efficiencies and low carbon opportunities.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
Supports
For example, avoid wasting energy when motors are running: Automate and interlock motor controls so that they only run when other equipment is switched on and are isolated when it’s switched off. Establish optimum settings for motors and communicate to staff.
Avoid wasting energy from compressors by ensuring adequate space around compressors and regularly checking for leaks; install automatic isolation valves so that air is not wasted when machines are not in use.
Consider reusing waste heat from compressors. Over 90% of the energy that goes into a compressor comes out as heat – consider using it, for example by fitting a heat exchanger and heating water.
Consider improving motor efficiency: Variable speed drives improve motor efficiency by wasting less energy, increase lifespan of motor and reduce maintenance
Ensure that you are compliant with refrigerant regulations.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have a range of supports for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance. The Climate Action Voucher to develop an initial action plan., and GreenStart/Plus to develop internal capabilities. Strategic Consultancy for large energy users to develop a carbon reduction roadmap. Energy Monitoring & Tracking Systems grant to install meters.
Enterprise Ireland’s and Údarás na Gaeltachta's Lean Business Offer is designed to encourage clients to adopt Lean business principles in their organisation to increase performance and competitiveness.
IDA Ireland supporting you Green Goals. How IDA helps clients to explore sustainable opportunities. The following supports are available to IDA clients only.
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €750 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
Supports
Once you have addressed available efficiency measures, undertaking targeted investments to remove fossil fuels from your business’ operations will reduce emissions and make your business resilient and ready for the zero-carbon future. Over time it will save you carbon taxes and other emissions penalties.
Consider whether passive water heating or rooftop microgeneration could be useful for your building.
Through the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme, energy providers (gas, electricity and solid fuel) have an obligation to help customers decarbonise – contact any of these providers (known as Obligated Parties) to assess available support options.
The Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (NDMS) provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site.
Grant support for one-off measures such as lighting or insulation may be available through SEAI’s Communities Grant – consider engaging with an experienced Community Energy Project Coordinator to find out if this approach could be right for you:
Consider installing renewable heat sources such as a heat pump or biomass boiler under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat
The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €750 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
Energy
High Impact
Supports
You have indicated that you are using a high-carbon fossil fuel in your operations, such as Coal / Oil / LPG / Diesel / Kerosene. This is a concern to the medium-term sustainability of your business and you should plan now to address this. Carbon taxes will make these fuels more expensive for your business in the short term, and SEAI grants will no longer support systems using these fossil fuels. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and decarbonise your business by addressing this.
You should:
1. Immediately seek an external energy audit and expertise as to the most cost-effective approach to decarbonising your activities
2. Use this analysis to put together a realistic plan to replace the use of high-carbon fuels in your operations
SEAI’s Support Scheme for Energy Audits offers financial support for businesses who want to get a high-quality energy audit. This will identify the most effective actions you can take to reduce your business’s fossil fuels use.
Consider if installing renewable heat sources such as a heat pump or biomass boiler under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat would be appropriate for your facility:
Energy providers (gas, electricity and solid fuel) have an obligation to help customers decarbonise – contact any of the providers (known as Obligated Parties) to assess available support options.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have a range of supports for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance. The Climate Action Voucher to develop an initial action plan, GreenStart/Plus to develop internal capabilities.
The Strategic Consultancy Grant, open to Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients, is a grant to assist large energy users develop a carbon reduction roadmap. This provides grant rates of up to 50-80% of eligible costs, with typical maximum support of €35k.
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
Energy
High Impact
Supports
Staff should be encouraged to visit Uisce Éireann’s conservation quiz to learn about water stewardship and check out the SME Water Stewardship Programme for business to undertake training. It will equip staff with the skills needed to introduce efficiencies in how your business uses water.
Staff engagement
Water
Appoint somebody to review your water bills periodically and introduce additional measures to bring it down each quarter or year. Sign up to Uisce Éireann’s conservation Pledge and SME Water Stewardship Programme.
As a first step, highlight water conservation options in bathrooms and kitchen areas.
Water is a precious and non-renewable resource. Ensuring your business uses it efficiently will reduce your water bills and help ensure that you will continue to have a reliable water supply into the future.
The SME Water Stewardship Programme is a free online training initiative, offered in partnership with Uisce Éireann and the Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, and delivered by 20FIFTY Partners. Accredited by Water Stewardship Ireland, this programme provides international best practice certification and equips businesses with the knowledge to lower water consumption, reduce water bills, and protect the environment.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and IDA Ireland’s GreenStart and GreenPlus grants can support client companies with training and advice focused on water conservation projects e.g. -Provide advice on water risks (financial, reputational, regulatory or physical) and how to mitigate them -Assist with preparation of a Water Stewardship Map, Targets and Action Plan -Establish a baseline assessment to identify possible savings and KPIs -Provide training and guidance on the implementation of software tools to measure, manage and report -Provide introductory training for relevant staff Assist with access to other tools and resources to maintain performance and to improve water stewardship
Establish a ‘Water Balance’ for your pharma site. A water balance provides a full picture of every water-consuming component on site and serves as the first step in uncovering hidden opportunities for savings.
Uisce Eireann provide detailed advice for Review Uisce Eireann’s conservation advice for the Education sector.
Cost saving
Water
Supporting staff to walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool in their commute will contribute to staff wellbeing as well as reducing transport-related emissions. Install bike racks for staff and customers
Introduce a remote work/ flexible work policy. Allow more staff to remote work, which will reduce transport-related emissions associated with your business and give staff additional flexibility to manage their work/life balance.
Utilise remote meeting capabilities where possible instead of travelling for meetings and conferences.
Staff engagement
Travel
In calculating your carbon footprint, you did not provide a weight for each of your green, brown and black bins. If you already segregate on this basis these weights are available from your bin provider. If you do not segregate waste into these (and any other relevant categories) you need to make a plan to do so.
Your business should make it as easy as possible for staff to correctly segregate waste. By providing clear guidance, labelling and making sure you have accessible bins on your premises you are complying with legal obligations, lowering operating costs and helping to protect human health and the environment.
Cost saving
Materials
You have indicated that your business is material intensive, with products and goods representing a substantial component of your carbon footprint. It’s essential that you measure and monitor key waste streams weights generated in your business – and set targets to reduce these weights and associated costs.
By monitoring and identifying how much of each different type of waste is being produced in your business on a weekly/monthly basis, you can establish a benchmark against which improvements are measured. This can be done by reviewing records from waste contractors and monitoring these regularly.
Ensuring you segregate your waste into refuse, recyclables and organic waste will save your business money. This should incentivise your business to reduce costs through better segregation and recycling, reuse and prevention.
First steps might include:
Use the EPA ‘Tree tool’ to measure resource efficiency – and assess opportunities to prevent and reduce waste
Businesses who produce electrical, battery or lighting waste or provide these in products to customers need to be aware of their regulatory obligations and opportunities for circularity. Producers should register with the national register at https://erp-recycling.org/ie/
The Climate Ready Academy ‘Waste & Circular Economy Leaders’ Programme equips businesses with expertise on how to reduce energy waste, optimise cost savings, and protect the environment.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta haves a range of supports for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance. The Climate Action Voucher to carry out a resource efficiency assessment or to prepare a plan to identify and develop circular economy ideas for a more circular product, process or service. GreenStart/Plus to further develop internal capabilities. RD&I grants to support the planning and development of new products, services or processes.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Materials
Supports
The carbon footprint provided by this Toolkit assesses only the direct emissions, transport or energy sector emissions related to your immediate activities – but the ‘embodied carbon’ (emissions arising from the production, manufacturing, and transport) of the materials and goods consumed could be upward of 45% of your business’s total emissions impact.
Do a strategic review of the goods and materials your business uses.
Reduce the carbon footprint of your supply chain by engaging with suppliers and/or logistics providers, by introducing sustainability, carbon measurement and a biodiversity assessment in purchasing decisions. Start by choosing local supplier options where possible.
When purchasing goods, services, works and utilities your business should ask suppliers to provide information regarding the origin, durability, reparability and recyclability of materials.
By incorporating an ethical supply chain in your business model and achieving green certification you will be able to promote a responsible sourcing process and ethical behaviours in your company, thereby contributing to the challenge of combatting climate change.
High Impact
Materials
New products, services and new business models will emerge as national and global supply chains decarbonise, and customers become increasingly carbon conscious. This presents opportunities for differentiation, innovation or new products/services that helps your customer reduce their own carbon footprint, waste or other environmental impacts.
Consider applying for an EI Innovation Voucher to assist you with this analysis. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist your company to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.
Materials
Supports
Join an environmental certification scheme or disclosure project relevant to your business and useful to your customers, such as BITCI, the Carbon Disclosure Project or similar. Supports don’t cover certification only training & advice to a level where a company can then go for certification.
Align to standards such as ISO 14005 or ISO 14001 or frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, or to disclosure platforms such as the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta GreenStart/Plus Enterprise Ireland’s Green programme can provide training to businesses to a level where they can then go for third party accreditation appropriate to their business. The supports can also provide training/advice on internal and external sustainability communications, messaging & reporting.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Supports
Transparency on the green credentials of your products will increase access to customers who are increasingly demanding more environmentally friendly products’
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta GreenStart/Plus can provide training to client companies to a level where they can then go for third party accreditation appropriate to their business.Enterprise Ireland’s Green programme can assist businesses in reaching a third-party accreditation appropriate to their business -– The supports can also provide training/advice on internal and external sustainability communications, messaging & reporting.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Supports
Your Green Team, with oversight of a member of the senior management team, will take ownership of this plan, share it with all staff and set an ambitious but achievable timeframe for putting further measures in place.
Give each action in this plan an ‘owner’.
Establishing clear ownership of this plan is an important first step and will help give priority to the actions needed in order to decarbonise your business.
Consider allocating an appropriate budget for implementation of this plan
Staff engagement
Arrange for your Green Team and other relevant staff to undertake Energy Management training with the SEAI or Skillnet Ireland. By changing behaviours within the workplace, businesses can lower operating costs while reducing energy intensity, which is vital for combatting climate change.
The SEAI Energy Academyis a free online training resource offering modules focussed on important areas of energy efficiency and management.
The Climate Ready Academy Energy Leaders Programme equips businesses and energy professionals with expertise on how to reduce energy waste, optimise cost savings, and protect the environment.
The SEAI Introduction to Energy Management: Creating an Energy Action Plan Training assists businesses with writing an energy action plan, tracking their energy use, and developing an energy management strategy.
The Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Leaders Programme aims to drive and assist businesses and Sustainability professionals to embrace responsible and sustainable business practices towards a decarbonised economy.
Energy
Staff engagement
Recording energy use gives you a baseline against which to measure all improvement actions taken. SEAI’s Energy Management Guide for Small Business can be a useful guide to getting started with monitoring your energy use.
Use communications tools to promote awareness and support staff to be more energy efficient
Communications will include:
The Skillnet Ireland Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Pass is a free online self-study modular programme designed to support all staff of all disciplines and skill levels to improve sustainability awareness and encourage best sustainability practices.
SEAI offers workplace resources like downloadable sticker templates and posters to assist with encouraging sustainable energy use behaviours amount staff:
The Climate Ready Academy Sustainability Leaders Programme aims to drive and assist businesses and Sustainability professionals to embrace responsible and sustainable business practices towards a decarbonised economy.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Energy
Staff engagement
Staff should be encouraged to visit Uisce Éireann’s conservation quiz to learn about water stewardship and check out the SME Water Stewardship Programme for business to undertake training. It will equip staff with the skills needed to introduce efficiencies in how your business uses water.
Staff engagement
Water
In calculating your carbon footprint, you did not provide a weight for each of your green, brown and black bins. If you already segregate on this basis these weights are available from your bin provider. If you do not segregate waste into these (and any other relevant categories) you need to make a plan to do so.
Your business should make it as easy as possible for staff to correctly segregate waste. By providing clear guidance, labelling and making sure you have accessible bins on your premises you are complying with legal obligations, lowering operating costs and helping to protect human health and the environment.
Cost saving
Materials
The journey to zero emissions will be a demanding one and will likely require strategic investment over time. However, introducing some low-cost energy-saving measures identified through your training can help you make early progress, save your business money and set you on a path to lowering your carbon footprint.
Consider:
Review all potential opportunities in SEAI SME Guide to Energy Efficiency
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers, and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, loans from €25K to €3m, unsecured up to €500K, over terms from 7 to 10 years.
The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €750 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
For example, avoid wasting energy when motors are running: Automate and interlock motor controls so that they only run when other equipment is switched on and are isolated when it’s switched off. Establish optimum settings for motors and communicate to staff.
Avoid wasting energy from compressors by ensuring adequate space around compressors and regularly checking for leaks; install automatic isolation valves so that air is not wasted when machines are not in use.
Consider reusing waste heat from compressors. Over 90% of the energy that goes into a compressor comes out as heat – consider using it, for example by fitting a heat exchanger and heating water.
Consider improving motor efficiency: Variable speed drives improve motor efficiency by wasting less energy, increase lifespan of motor and reduce maintenance
Ensure that you are compliant with refrigerant regulations.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have a range of supports for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance. The Climate Action Voucher to develop an initial action plan., and GreenStart/Plus to develop internal capabilities. Strategic Consultancy for large energy users to develop a carbon reduction roadmap. Energy Monitoring & Tracking Systems grant to install meters.
Enterprise Ireland’s and Údarás na Gaeltachta's Lean Business Offer is designed to encourage clients to adopt Lean business principles in their organisation to increase performance and competitiveness.
IDA Ireland supporting you Green Goals. How IDA helps clients to explore sustainable opportunities. The following supports are available to IDA clients only.
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €750 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
Supports
You have indicated that you are using a high-carbon fossil fuel in your operations, such as Coal / Oil / LPG / Diesel / Kerosene. This is a concern to the medium-term sustainability of your business and you should plan now to address this. Carbon taxes will make these fuels more expensive for your business in the short term, and SEAI grants will no longer support systems using these fossil fuels. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and decarbonise your business by addressing this.
You should:
1. Immediately seek an external energy audit and expertise as to the most cost-effective approach to decarbonising your activities
2. Use this analysis to put together a realistic plan to replace the use of high-carbon fuels in your operations
SEAI’s Support Scheme for Energy Audits offers financial support for businesses who want to get a high-quality energy audit. This will identify the most effective actions you can take to reduce your business’s fossil fuels use.
Consider if installing renewable heat sources such as a heat pump or biomass boiler under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat would be appropriate for your facility:
Energy providers (gas, electricity and solid fuel) have an obligation to help customers decarbonise – contact any of the providers (known as Obligated Parties) to assess available support options.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have a range of supports for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance. The Climate Action Voucher to develop an initial action plan, GreenStart/Plus to develop internal capabilities.
The Strategic Consultancy Grant, open to Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta clients, is a grant to assist large energy users develop a carbon reduction roadmap. This provides grant rates of up to 50-80% of eligible costs, with typical maximum support of €35k.
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
Energy
High Impact
Supports
Appoint somebody to review your water bills periodically and introduce additional measures to bring it down each quarter or year. Sign up to Uisce Éireann’s conservation Pledge and SME Water Stewardship Programme.
As a first step, highlight water conservation options in bathrooms and kitchen areas.
Water is a precious and non-renewable resource. Ensuring your business uses it efficiently will reduce your water bills and help ensure that you will continue to have a reliable water supply into the future.
The SME Water Stewardship Programme is a free online training initiative, offered in partnership with Uisce Éireann and the Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, and delivered by 20FIFTY Partners. Accredited by Water Stewardship Ireland, this programme provides international best practice certification and equips businesses with the knowledge to lower water consumption, reduce water bills, and protect the environment.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and IDA Ireland’s GreenStart and GreenPlus grants can support client companies with training and advice focused on water conservation projects e.g. -Provide advice on water risks (financial, reputational, regulatory or physical) and how to mitigate them -Assist with preparation of a Water Stewardship Map, Targets and Action Plan -Establish a baseline assessment to identify possible savings and KPIs -Provide training and guidance on the implementation of software tools to measure, manage and report -Provide introductory training for relevant staff Assist with access to other tools and resources to maintain performance and to improve water stewardship
Establish a ‘Water Balance’ for your pharma site. A water balance provides a full picture of every water-consuming component on site and serves as the first step in uncovering hidden opportunities for savings.
Uisce Eireann provide detailed advice for Review Uisce Eireann’s conservation advice for the Education sector.
Cost saving
Water
Supporting staff to walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool in their commute will contribute to staff wellbeing as well as reducing transport-related emissions. Install bike racks for staff and customers
Introduce a remote work/ flexible work policy. Allow more staff to remote work, which will reduce transport-related emissions associated with your business and give staff additional flexibility to manage their work/life balance.
Utilise remote meeting capabilities where possible instead of travelling for meetings and conferences.
Staff engagement
Travel
The carbon footprint provided by this Toolkit assesses only the direct emissions, transport or energy sector emissions related to your immediate activities – but the ‘embodied carbon’ (emissions arising from the production, manufacturing, and transport) of the materials and goods consumed could be upward of 45% of your business’s total emissions impact.
Do a strategic review of the goods and materials your business uses.
Reduce the carbon footprint of your supply chain by engaging with suppliers and/or logistics providers, by introducing sustainability, carbon measurement and a biodiversity assessment in purchasing decisions. Start by choosing local supplier options where possible.
When purchasing goods, services, works and utilities your business should ask suppliers to provide information regarding the origin, durability, reparability and recyclability of materials.
By incorporating an ethical supply chain in your business model and achieving green certification you will be able to promote a responsible sourcing process and ethical behaviours in your company, thereby contributing to the challenge of combatting climate change.
High Impact
Materials
An investment in energy efficiency – however small – will help drive increased competitiveness and build resilience to the headwinds of market uncertainty and energy price volatility.
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
Having an external expert examine the energy use and wider operations of your business can help you to plan for further efficiencies and low carbon opportunities.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Cost saving
Energy
High Impact
Supports
Once you have addressed available efficiency measures, undertaking targeted investments to remove fossil fuels from your business’ operations will reduce emissions and make your business resilient and ready for the zero-carbon future. Over time it will save you carbon taxes and other emissions penalties.
Consider whether passive water heating or rooftop microgeneration could be useful for your building.
Through the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme, energy providers (gas, electricity and solid fuel) have an obligation to help customers decarbonise – contact any of these providers (known as Obligated Parties) to assess available support options.
The Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (NDMS) provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site.
Grant support for one-off measures such as lighting or insulation may be available through SEAI’s Communities Grant – consider engaging with an experienced Community Energy Project Coordinator to find out if this approach could be right for you:
Consider installing renewable heat sources such as a heat pump or biomass boiler under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat
The Local Enterprise Office Energy Efficiency Grant, helps businesses implement cutting-edge energy-efficient solutions, upgrade equipment, and optimise processes – so to future-proof businesses, reduce costs and help businesses reach their sustainability goals. The scheme provides 50% of eligible costs (from a minimum of €750 up to a maximum grant of €5,000) for investment in energy efficient technologies & equipment identified in a Green for Micro; Green for Business; GreenStart or SEAI Energy Audit. This includes but is not limited to meters and related installation & commissioning costs; smart energy controls and upgrades or replacement to more energy efficient equipment and systems
The SBCI Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) offers discounted finance to SMEs, farmers, fishers and Small Mid-Caps for long-term investments towards climate action and environment sustainability. Lending benefits from reduced interest rates, finance amounts from €25K to €3m over terms from 7 to 10 years, with unsecured loans up to €500K.
Energy
High Impact
Supports
You have indicated that your business is material intensive, with products and goods representing a substantial component of your carbon footprint. It’s essential that you measure and monitor key waste streams weights generated in your business – and set targets to reduce these weights and associated costs.
By monitoring and identifying how much of each different type of waste is being produced in your business on a weekly/monthly basis, you can establish a benchmark against which improvements are measured. This can be done by reviewing records from waste contractors and monitoring these regularly.
Ensuring you segregate your waste into refuse, recyclables and organic waste will save your business money. This should incentivise your business to reduce costs through better segregation and recycling, reuse and prevention.
First steps might include:
Use the EPA ‘Tree tool’ to measure resource efficiency – and assess opportunities to prevent and reduce waste
Businesses who produce electrical, battery or lighting waste or provide these in products to customers need to be aware of their regulatory obligations and opportunities for circularity. Producers should register with the national register at https://erp-recycling.org/ie/
The Climate Ready Academy ‘Waste & Circular Economy Leaders’ Programme equips businesses with expertise on how to reduce energy waste, optimise cost savings, and protect the environment.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta haves a range of supports for client companies to reduce emissions and improve environmental performance. The Climate Action Voucher to carry out a resource efficiency assessment or to prepare a plan to identify and develop circular economy ideas for a more circular product, process or service. GreenStart/Plus to further develop internal capabilities. RD&I grants to support the planning and development of new products, services or processes.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Materials
Supports
New products, services and new business models will emerge as national and global supply chains decarbonise, and customers become increasingly carbon conscious. This presents opportunities for differentiation, innovation or new products/services that helps your customer reduce their own carbon footprint, waste or other environmental impacts.
Consider applying for an EI Innovation Voucher to assist you with this analysis. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 are available to assist your company to explore a business opportunity or problem with a registered knowledge provider.
Materials
Supports
Join an environmental certification scheme or disclosure project relevant to your business and useful to your customers, such as BITCI, the Carbon Disclosure Project or similar. Supports don’t cover certification only training & advice to a level where a company can then go for certification.
Align to standards such as ISO 14005 or ISO 14001 or frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, or to disclosure platforms such as the Carbon Disclosure Project.
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta GreenStart/Plus Enterprise Ireland’s Green programme can provide training to businesses to a level where they can then go for third party accreditation appropriate to their business. The supports can also provide training/advice on internal and external sustainability communications, messaging & reporting.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Supports
Transparency on the green credentials of your products will increase access to customers who are increasingly demanding more environmentally friendly products’
Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta GreenStart/Plus can provide training to client companies to a level where they can then go for third party accreditation appropriate to their business.Enterprise Ireland’s Green programme can assist businesses in reaching a third-party accreditation appropriate to their business -– The supports can also provide training/advice on internal and external sustainability communications, messaging & reporting.
Local Enterprise Office Green for Business Programme is available to Small and Micro Enterprises (up to 50 staff). The Programme is open to all sectors and provides free expert advice and mentorship and a unique report for your business to understand and plan the next steps in your sustainability journey.
Supports
You have indicated that you have completed all available actions. There is still more that you can do to contribute positively as our economy decarbonises, including leadership in your supply chain enabling suppliers and customers to also be more sustainable.
