Climate changes for green firms

The Climate Club for Business, Wiltshire, is one of three initiatives in the south west, which are benefiting from a total of £100,000 from the Energy Saving Trust, an organisation funded by the government and the private sector.

The Climate Club for Business will focus mainly on Swindon as the major centre of commerce in Wiltshire, but with the inclusion of a limited number of businesses elsewhere in the county.

The project is aimed at assessing the potential to promote domestic sustainable energy through a business-based energy club.

Businesses would sign up to the club, and staff would then be entitled to discounts on measures in their own homes as a staff perk.

The club would be promoted through 'energy days', staff induction processes and by engaging 'champions' within the businesses.

For employers greater awareness would support increased energy efficiency in the workplace.

Jo Badham, of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, is looking at business-based energy clubs to promote sustainability.

She said: "The Energy Saving Trust's support will provide an exciting opportunity to work much more closely with local businesses in Swindon to find the right way to help their employees to save energy (and money) in their own homes, through the benefits offered by Climate Club."

Matthew Knight, innovation programme manager for the Energy Savings Trust, said: "This round's recipients have all displayed an imaginative and pioneering approach to energy efficiency and we're proud to have supported these schemes across the south west.

"These ground-breaking schemes will help us explore new ways of achieving energy efficiency in homes across the region.

"Taking advantage of the funding and advice available from EST's Innovation Program is a positive step towards fighting climate change."

For more information on EST's Innovation Program visit www.practicalhelp.org.uk/innovation or call 0870 241 2089.

David Andrew