How can your small business get involved with climate and energy action?

The global economy has undergone a shift towards a low carbon future in recent years, driven by a range of factors including concerns about climate change, advances in renewable energy technologies, and growing demand for sustainable products and services.

This shift has given rise to a thriving low carbon economy, which encompasses industries such as renewable energy, sustainable transportation, agriculture, and construction.

Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, have become increasingly affordable and efficient, making them competitive with traditional energy sources in many markets around the world. Similarly, the popularity of electric vehicles and other sustainable transportation options is growing, and sustainable agriculture practices are gaining traction.

The construction, manufacturing and agricultural industries is also adapting to become more sustainable, with energy-efficient buildings, advances in production systems and renewable energy systems being developed. Although challenges remain, such as reducing the carbon footprint of heavy industry and transitioning away from fossil fuels in the transportation sector, the low carbon economy offers many opportunities for sustainable economic growth and innovation; particularly for agile, dynamic, small business entrepreneurs, that seize opportunities to innovate.

Consistent with this evolution, the NSW and Australian Government provide various support initiatives for businesses.

The NSW Government - Climate and Energy Action seeks to transform NSW into an innovative, thriving low carbon economy. By accelerating the development of clean technology and decarbonisation, that will lay the foundations to significantly reduce emissions and help industry prosper. 

With more than $1 billion to support and partner with industry to move towards net zero, the NSW Government is committed to:

1. encouraging investment in clean technologies, with increased certainty and confidence for investors.
   
2. future proofing industry by helping you decarbonise
   
3. creating a strong NSW by growing jobs and strengthening the economy. 
   

Additionally, the Australian Government Advancing Renewables Program provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.

This program aims to fund projects that contribute to one or more of the following outcomes:

1. reduction in the cost of renewable energy
   
2. increase in the value delivered by renewable energy
   
3. improvement in technology readiness and commercial readiness of renewable energy
   
4. reduction in or removal of barriers to renewable energy uptake
   
5. increase in skills, capacity and knowledge relevant to renewable energy.
   

Additionally, Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises is currently open for small and medium businesses, which provides up to $25,000 to replace or upgrade existing equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

For a confidential discussion regarding how your business could get involved, get in touch with Business Connect advisor Derek Tink, towards completing an initial assessment and connection to opportunities within the Climate and Energy Action areas.