East Lothian Council has announced new measures to support local small businesses in their journey towards sustainable practices and carbon management.

Through funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF – Supporting Local Business objectives), the council's Economic Development Team is championing initiatives aimed at assisting businesses in measuring and mitigating their emissions.

Understanding the critical role that small businesses play in driving economic growth, the team has created dedicated webpages on the topic of net zero in business, designed to facilitate carbon management planning for local enterprises. This initiative is in line with the UKSPF's commitment to fostering prosperity and environmental responsibility.

Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, Councillor John McMillan, said: "These new webpages offer practical guidance and resources to help businesses navigate the complexities of carbon management. The ultimate goal is to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious business community. As well as a wealth of information and practical advice, the web pages feature a series of case studies that highlight the success stories of businesses that have embraced carbon management planning, providing a wealth of insight and inspiration for other businesses considering similar initiatives. As well as helping tackle climate change, businesses can also save significant amounts of money by embracing carbon management, as the case studies show. It's also a great way of attracting new customers, by demonstrating a commitment to the environment."

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The case studies show businesses that have already benefited from direct support through the council's UKSPF funding allocation. Future projects are in development and will be announced when available. In the meantime, the new web pages are a useful resource to get businesses moving in the right direction towards net zero carbon and signposting to further sources of support and funding.

Callum Mark, Chief Executive of Foxlake Adventures, said: "Receiving this expert help provided invaluable insight into our current carbon footprint and highlighted several avenues for carbon reduction for us to action. This support has not only increased our environmental awareness but has also opened our eyes to what is possible for the future of the business."