Businesses in the South Hams are receiving free specialist help and advice on how to reduce their environmental impact, thanks to support from Libraries Unlimited and funding from South Hams District Council.

Libraries Unlimited is providing specialist consultancy across the district to help businesses develop a decarbonisation plan. These plans will help identify a range of actions to reduce their carbon footprint and on their overall impact on the planet.

Those who take part in the scheme can also apply for Rural England Prosperity Fund decarbonisation grants, which could help to pay for implementing one or more of the measures highlighted in their decarbonisation plans.

The programme links into one of the Council’s key priorities by supporting businesses important to the local economy, helping them to save money by becoming more efficient, boosting their resilience for the years ahead while reducing their carbon footprint.

Businesses can sign up for the project by registering an interest online at https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/decarbonisation-plans/

The project has received £60,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money from South Hams District Council, so that the project can be rolled out to as wide a range of businesses as possible. Any type of business can apply for the support.

So far, 24 businesses in the South Hams have signed up to receive a decarbonisation plan.

Cllr John McKay, South Hams Executive Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: “The work being done by Libraries Unlimited on decarbonisation for businesses is important. Business activity can have a huge impact on the environment that we may not even realise, so this work raising awareness and supporting businesses to reduce their environmental impact can only be a good thing.”

Richard Love, Business and IP Centre Manager for Libraries Unlimited, said: “As a charity, Libraries Unlimited are keen to support the businesses of the South Hams to reduce their carbon footprint. Working in partnership with the council, we designed a consultancy and decarbonisation programme that would cater to businesses small and large, to provide them not only with a carbon footprint baseline, but also a decarbonisation plan with recommendations to reduce their emissions.

“Upon receipt of your decarbonisation plan, the businesses are then eligible to apply for a grant of up to £10,000 to implement those measures.

“We’ve created a tailored programme that takes into account whether your business is at the start, or at a more advanced stage on your sustainability journey, and all it takes to register your interest in joining.”

Alex Pickstone, who runs Brackenhill Glamping, one of the businesses who have signed up for a decarbonisation plan, said: “We’ve got an ongoing commitment to green tourism. I think it’s on our guests’ minds as well. They’re looking to stay in the UK, they’re looking for sustainable options. We have got beehives on site, which is really good for pollination. We manage the land, so we’ve got long areas of grass, for biodiversity.”

To find out more, visit:

• Business and IP Centre Devon website or
• South Hams District Council website