Tailored Support for Businesses
Business Information Point
Who are they?
Business Information Point provide a range of tailored, small business advice in Devon. They have been supporting businesses ever since setting up in 1993.
They currently have funding from a number of local authorities in Devon to offer free business support.
What do they offer?
- Prosper Business Support
- Free business support programme for pre-start and trading businesses in Mid Devon, East Devon and Exeter. This includes mentoring, workshops, peer support and self-learning.
- Businesses can get a free professional carbon audit and tailored advice on reducing energy and potential cost savings.
- Find out more and register here.
- Pathway to Net Zero
- Free support for businesses in Plymouth looking to progress towards becoming Net Zero.
- Delivered via a combination of one-to-one sessions, workshops, and self-learning resources.
- Find out more and register here.
- West Devon & South Hams Business Support
- Free business support for organisations located in South Hams or West Devon.
- BIP can support businesses with all areas of growth and development including advice on reducing carbon and sourcing access to funding.
- Find out more and register here.
Devon and Plymouth Chamber Net-Zero Hub
Who are they?
The Devon and Plymouth Chamber’s Net-Zero Hub is a space for businesses to share their net-zero pledges with the wider community, as well as gain advice and information about how to decarbonise their enterprise.
What do they offer?
- Encouragement to take a net-zero pledge, that can be shared with the wider business community
- Online workshops about understanding and reducing the carbon footprint of local businesses.
Heart of the South West Growth Hub: Net Zero
Who are they?
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub is a platform offering free advice to local businesses in order to help them grow and expand.
What do they offer?
UK Business Climate Hub
Who are they?
The UK Business Climate Hub is a shared endeavour, developed with the UK Government, the SME Climate Hub and the UK’s main business organisations, energy networks, high street banks and professional bodies.
What do they offer?
Understand the basics
Find out everything you need to know about what net zero means and why it matters.
Involve your team
Get staff positively engaged and bring in external support to reinforce your plan.
Make the SME Climate Commitment
Make a commitment to climate action, access tools to reduce emissions, and disclose your progress.
Make a plan
Measure your current carbon emissions and start to plan to reduce them.
Take action
Take steps to reduce your emissions by theme or by sector.
Find finance and support
Find sources of funding and support on green loans, grants and other incentives.
Look beyond your own business
Get product certifications and labels, build a green supply chain, reduce business travel and more actions to reduce emissions.
Net Zero Exchange
Who are they?
Net-Zero Exchange is a University of Plymouth project striving to accelerate our region’s journey to net-zero carbon. The project aims to connect enterprises of all sizes and sectors with researchers from all disciplines so we can take a whole-systems approach to net-zero research, engagement and solutions across the Great South West.
What do they offer?
- An online platform for you to connect and share with others on your journey to net zero
- Free events exploring net zero by taking a whole-systems view
- Training opportunities ranging from a short 3hr Net-Zero Literacy course to a 12hr Net Zero Action course and a 60hr Future Climate Leaders course
- Funding opportunities for solutions-focused projects enabling researchers and businesses to team up
SWMAS Make it Net-Zero programme
Who are they?
This programme from SWMAS offers practical, easy to follow steps to help businesses achieve the goal of reaching net-zero by 2050, in line with the Government’s target.
What do they offer?
- A number of funded spaces for eligible SMEs in the South West
- Net-zero specialists who can help to:
- Capture your business’ carbon footprint
- Identify priority improvements
- Create a bespoke Action Plan and Timeline
- Implement future improvements as progress is made
- Resource Efficiency Grants to help businesses make low carbon investments.
- Participating businesses in Torbay also have the potential of being awarded grant funding to support their decarbonisation plans and introduce energy saving measures through this scheme.
Decarbonise Devon
Who are they?
Decarbonise Devon is a one-stop-shop for businesses in Devon to get support on efficiency and clean energy projects, whilst saving time and money.
What do they offer?
Local experts can support the whole process of delivering decarbonisation projects, including planning, project management, financing, finding trustworthy contractors, and verifying your impact.
Examples of projects are:
- Insulation
- Draught-proofing
- Renewable generation
- Improving staff carbon literacy
Get in touch with Decarbonise Devon.
VisitEngland Regenerative Tourism Guide
Who are they?
The British Tourist Authority (BTA), operates under the brand names VisitBritain and VisitEngland. As the national tourism agency, they work to raise Britain’s profile, increase the volume and value of tourism exports and develop England’s visitor economy, working with organisations of all sizes and specialities.
VisitEngland  leads and enables a sustainable and resilient visitor economy through business support, guidance and training and the championing of domestic tourism.
What do they offer?
VisitEngland has launched the Regenerative Tourism Guide, an easy-to-follow resource to help tourism businesses on their sustainability journey and efforts to decrease their carbon footprint. Featuring a self-audit questionnaire, businesses can assess current practices and follow the clear, practical advice. It highlights how tourism can – and should – have a positive impact, leaving a place better than it was before. Read more and download the Regenerative Tourism Guide
