Businesses in Northern Ireland with energy bills of less than £50,000 a year are being offered free help to reduce their costs even further. The deal is part of a new initiative called the Northern Lights Carbon Reduction Programme, which is being run by ARENA Network, the environmental division of Business in the Community. The programme, supported by the Carbon Trust, Northern Ireland Electricity and Firmus Energy, offers free audits and carbon footprint analysis.
Leslie Murray, ARENA Network chair, urged businesses to get in touch for free environmental auditing, advice on equipment purchasing and upgrades and an energy action plan. "Businesses impact on their environment and surroundings and we are here to help reduce those impacts, ensuring that companies, especially small and medium enterprises, receive the help they need to make a difference." Geoff Smyth, manager of Carbon Trust Northern Ireland also recommended that every company in the province should be making attempts to reduce their carbon footprints. "Future generations of our planet are relying on us to make a difference and this programme is an excellent way to start that process."
Grant aid is being provided by Northern Ireland Electricity for companies pursuing renewable energy initiatives as part of the programme. Further details are available online at www.arenani.org.uk.
