Welcome to Ayrshire Chambers' Net-Zero Hub.
This hub will be updated regularly, with current guidance, funds, events and further information to help your business and employees reduce you businesses Carbon Footprint, lower your environmental impact and become Net-Zero.
NEWS
FUNDS
Business charge point funding [OPEN]
To support the uptake of electric vehicles across Scotland, Transport Scotland has made grant funding available through Energy Saving Trust to help organisations install electric vehicle charging infrastructure on their premises.
Funding is currently available for charge points for sole use by occupants, staff and visitors. To apply, click here.
Business Energy Scotland: SME Loan Scheme [OPEN]
Loans up to £100k are available to help you pay for energy and carbon-saving upgrades in your business. You could also receive a cashback grant of up to £20k.
An SME loan can be used to finance the installation of energy efficient systems, equipment or building fabric, including: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades; renewable heat technologies such as installing an air source heat pump; improving insulation, draught-proofing, double or secondary glazing; installing LED lighting; installing solar panels, wind turbines and wood-burning stoves. To view guidance, click here.
Circular Economy Investment Fund [OPEN]
This funding is to help businesses develop new ways of working and to get ahead in a circular economy. A circular economy is one that’s sustainable and eliminates waste as much as possible. It’s an alternative to our current ‘take, make, dispose’ approach, and means that products and materials are kept in a high-value state of use for as long as possible. To view guidance, click here.
CO2 Utilisation Challenge [OPEN, Funding is available from 11 April 2022 until 31 March 2024]
The aim of this challenge is to support Research and Development (R&D) to assist companies in developing technology that will lead to new commercial uses for CO2, and the creation of jobs, as part of our journey to a low carbon economy. For further information, please click here.
District Heating Loan Fund [OPEN]
The District Heating Loan Fund is managed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government. It provides capital loan funding of £1 million plus to organisations in Scotland to use renewables technologies to build out heat networks. To view guidance, click here.
Domestic chargepoint funding [OPEN]
The domestic chargepoint funding scheme, funded by Transport Scotland (an agency of the Scottish Government) and administered by Energy Saving Trust, provides up to £300 towards the cost of purchasing and installing home chargepoints for electric vehicles. Fund details can be found by clicking here.
eBike Loan Scheme [OPEN]
An exciting funding opportunity is available in Scotland through Energy Saving Trust. Energy Saving Trust offer an interest-free loan for individuals, repayable over four years, that can be used for: 2 x ebikes capped at £3,000 each; 1 x family cargo bike capped at £6,000 or 1 x adapted cycle (value assessed on a case-by-case basis). To find out more, and apply, click here.
Electric Car Scheme [OPEN]
The Electric Car Scheme aims to help people make a greener choice and help as many companies and employees as possible benefit from the government tax savings on electric cars.
The Electric Car Scheme works with a wide range of car lease companies to find the best value lease on the market for each car. Employees should get the very best lease deals, as well as the full tax benefit. They shouldn’t be limited to one expensive supplier. To find out more, and apply, click here.
Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme [OPEN]
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) is a grant that provides a 75% contribution to the cost of one charge point and its installation. A grant cap is set at £350 (including VAT) per installation. The main requirement is that a person owns, leases, or has ordered a qualifying vehicle and has dedicated off-street parking at their property. To view fund guidance, click here.
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Strategic Research Programme (SRP)
Projects which aim to boost food security in Scotland and address the biodiversity and climate crises will benefit from a major Scottish Government funding programme.
At The Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced major investment of more than £200 million through the 2022 to 2027 Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Strategic Research Programme (SRP).
For further details, click here.
Facilities Access Fund [OPEN]
The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) offers funding for collaborative biotechnology projects that link Scottish academics and industry. The funding covers access to university facilities on a fee-for-service basis at an academic rate. To view guidance, click here.
Funding support for clean energy transition [OPEN]
The Clean Energy Transition Partnership is a competitive call with a 2-stage application process. The fund aims to get as many Scottish companies as possible involved in new clean energy solutions.
Scottish Enterprise can only fund projects that have been selected through the Clean Energy Transition Partnership ranking process. Only the highest-ranking projects will receive funding. The ranking process is an independent evaluation by a group of international experts. To read further information, please click here.
Home Energy Scotland Loan [OPEN]
Up to 40% cashback for some eligible energy efficiency measures and 75% for certain renewable heating systems (based on total costs and capped at a maximum value) is now available. Cashback is subject to availability while funds last or until the end of the financial year – whichever is sooner. Funds are reserved for customers when their loan is offered. To view guidance, click here.
Home renewables [OPEN]
Get up to £17,500 interest-free when you install home renewables with the Home Energy Scotland Loan.
Up to 40% cashback for some eligible energy efficiency measures and 75% for certain renewable heating systems (based on total costs and capped at a maximum value) is now available. Cashback is subject to availability while funds last or until the end of the financial year – whichever is sooner. Funds are reserved for customers when their loan is offered. Fund guidance can be found by clicking here.
Innovation challenge: Applying Space Data to the Net Zero Economy [OPEN]
The Applying Space Data to the Net Zero Economy innovation challenge is designed to help Scottish businesses develop innovative space-based solutions that will support our transition to net zero. A minimum of £20,000 and maximum of £30,000 grant funding is available. To view guidance, click here.
Innovation challenge: Zero Emissions Heavy Duty Vehicles [OPEN]
The Zero Emissions Heavy Duty Vehicle innovation challenge is a competition to help Scottish businesses develop innovative solutions that can support the decarbonisation of Heavy Duty Vehicles and Scotland’s green recovery.
Grant support for 100% of the eligible project costs is available. This will allow companies to undertake detailed design and assess the technical and commercial feasibility of their proposed solution over a period of three to four months, with projects completing by the end of March 2023. To view guidance, click here.
Low Carbon Business Transport Loan [OPEN]
The Low Carbon Transport Business Loan offers Scottish businesses up to £150,000 interest-free to help reduce the carbon impact and fuel costs of their transport arrangements through the purchase of new and more efficient vehicles. Limited companies are eligible for up to £150,000 of loan support, and sole traders or partnerships are eligible for up to £75,000 of loan support. To view guidance, click here.
Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund [OPEN, funding will be available from 19th May 2022 until 31st March 2026]
The Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund is for any company with a manufacturing base in Scotland that wishes to pursue business growth by developing low carbon products, processes or services. The minimum grant value is £150,000 for eligible costs. To view guidance, click here.
Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund [OPEN]
The Low Emission Zone Retrofit Fund provides eligible micro businesses, who operate within one of Scotland’s four low emission zones, with support to retrofit their existing non-compliant vehicles with Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) approved solutions that meet the minimum proposed standards of the low emission zones.
Grants are available to cover up to 80% of the cost of a retrofit solution, subject to a number of terms and conditions. To view guidance, click here.
Low Emission Zone Support Fund for Businesses [OPEN]
Eligible Scottish micro businesses and sole traders can apply for up to £2,000 to take older, more polluting vehicles off the road and move towards cleaner transport options. This is for operating vehicles that are not compliant with the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards, in Scotland’s 4 largest cities.
Low Emission Zones (LEZs) across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are being introduced in 2022. LEZs are designed to improve local air quality by discouraging older, more polluting vehicles from entering the zone. By moving older, more polluting vehicles off the road, local air quality will improve. To view full guidance, please click here.
Low Emission Zone Support Fund for households [OPEN]
Low emission zones in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee are now live. Energy Saving Trust is offering households, within a 20km radius of the low emission zones, up to £3,000 towards the safe disposal of non-compliant vehicles. To find out more, click here.
MCS Certification Fund
The Scottish Government’s MCS certification fund provides heating engineers with an interest in installing heat pumps (either air, ground or water source) with a grant to become MCS certified on heat pumps.
The grant will pay 75%, up to a maximum of £1,000, of the certification fees and will run until funds run out or until the end of March 2023, whatever comes first.
Please note, this funding is not retrospective if you are already MCS certified for a heat pump technology. To view fund guidance, click here.
North Ayrshire Council - Green Jobs Fund [OPEN]
The Green Jobs Fund (GJF) helps businesses, community groups and potential investors explore renewable energy generation and circular economy schemes that can create local, fair, green jobs. North Ayrshire's Business Team will respond to your enquiry within 5 working days. To view guidance, click here.
On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme [OPEN]
Local authorities can receive a grant to part-fund up to a maximum of 60% of capital costs relating to the procurement and installation of residential electric vehicle charge point infrastructure. Many projects may require less grant funding.
OZEV can fund up to a maximum of £7,500 per charge point, unless electrical connection costs are exceptionally high. In these cases, funding up to £13,000 per charge point may be provided. For guidance, click here.
Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan [OPEN]
Registered private landlords, acting either as an individual or a business that owns privately rented properties, can apply. Home Energy Scotland will only accept applications from individuals or official representatives of the business that will own the equipment, materials and property at the time the loan is paid. See full fund guidance by clicking here.
Scottish Government Heat Network Fund [OPEN, applications reviewed quarterly]
£300 million will be made available, over the next parliamentary session, to support the development and rollout of zero emission heat networks across Scotland. This fair and open fund aims to stimulate commercial interest, investment and maximise Scotland’s vast potential in the low carbon sector, whilst contributing to the positive progress on reducing Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Scotland’s Heat Network Fund is open to all public and private sector applicants. To see guidance, click here.
SME Loan Fund (with cashback while funds last) [OPEN]
The SME Loan fund offers small and medium-sized enterprises based in Scotland loans of up to £100,000 for renewable or energy efficiency projects. You may be able to get up to £20,000 as cashback. This is on a first come basis. The loan funding is provided by the Scottish Government. To view guidance, click here.
SME Loan Scheme [OPEN]
Funded by the Scottish Government, the loan scheme can help organisations by offering interest-free loan funding of up to £100,000 for a variety of energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation, heating or double glazing. To view full guidance, click here.
Social Enterprise Net Zero Transition Fund [OPEN, no closing date announced yet]
The fund will support projects that reduce your organisation's carbon footprint, including activities such as: reduce energy consumption; improve energy efficiency; develop or help move to renewable energy sources; help transition to sustainable transport options and more. To view guidelines, click here.
Solar PV fast track assessment [OPEN]
If you’re interested in exploring the benefits that solar PV could offer your business, and are a Scottish small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), Business Energy Scotland advisors can provide you with a free and impartial solar PV assessment. Click here to book.
SP Energy Networks Net Zero Fund [OPEN]
SP Energy Networks has launched a new Transmission Net Zero Fund to help ensure communities, who are facing barriers in taking part in the net zero transition, aren’t left behind on Scotland’s journey to net zero. Eligible Council areas include: Cumnock CC, New Cumnock CC, Leadhills CC, Douglas CC, Lesmahagow CC, Coalburn CC, Muirkirk CC, Kirkconnel and Kelloholm CC. For full fund details, click here.
Switched on Taxis Loan [OPEN]
Interest-free loans of up to £150,000 are available to help owners and operators of hackney cabs (purpose-built taxis) or private hire taxis to replace their current vehicle with an eligible ultra-low emission vehicle.
The maximum amount of loan support available to purchase one electric car is £30,000, or £35,000 for one electric van. The vehicle must cost £50,000 or less. To see guidance, click here.
Transform Net Zero [Projects must be finished by June 2023]
This project is designed to lead Scotland toward a low-carbon economy by encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and drink sector to explore new market opportunities and find ways to move toward zero waste.
Companies will collaborate with academic and industrial partners and benefit from their expertise in food innovation, environment and computer games. To view guidance, click here.
Used Electric Vehicle Loan [OPEN]
The Used Electric Vehicle Loan can be used for the purchase of a used electric car, van, motorcycle or moped by individuals in Scotland. Plug-in hybrid models are not eligible for funding. Current owners of pure (fully) electric vehicles are not eligible for this loan. For full guidance, click here.
Used Electric Vehicle Loan for Businesses [OPEN]
In September 2020, the Low Carbon Transport Loan was extended to cover used electric vehicles. This means that Scottish businesses of all sizes can now receive financial support towards the purchase of a used electric vehicle.
The Used Electric Vehicle Loan can be used for the purchase of a used electric car, van, motorcycle or moped by businesses that currently actively operate in Scotland. To view guidance, click here.
Warmer Homes Scotland [OPEN]
The Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme offers funding and support to households struggling to stay warm and keep on top of energy bills.
Warmer Homes Scotland is designed to help people make their homes warmer and more comfortable by installing a range of energy saving improvements. The Scottish Government is offering assistance to homeowners and private sector tenants struggling to heat their home, who have lived in their property for at least twelve months, and who meet the eligibility criteria. To view guidance, click here.
Zero Emission Mobility Innovation Fund [OPEN]
Scottish Enterprise and Transport Scotland have developed ZEMIF to support Scottish based businesses to scale the manufacture of prototype zero emission niche and HDV components, systems and vehicles through R&D activities.
The fund will encourage collaboration and clustering of innovation activity as projects move towards low-volume manufacturing. Successful project outcomes will be commercialised to fuel the decarbonisation of niche and HDVs in Scotland and across the globe. To find out more, click here.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Free online Green Champions training (CPD certified) from Business Energy Scotland
EVENTS
- 7th March - Edinburgh Green Heat Innovation Workshop click here to book
- 8th March - Aberdeen Green Heat Innovation Workshop click here to book
- 22nd March - Green Heat: A Tracking Transition Event - Panel of Speakers click here to book
- 28th March - Glasgow Green Heat Innovation Workshop click here to book
TOOLKITS
GUIDANCE LINKS