The programme specifically focuses on three target sectors of Agri-Food, Manufacturing and Engineering. Micro and SME businesses from these three sectors located in the MSW Region are encouraged to get involved.
Innovate UK's Fast Followers programme has provided the funding, with the MSW region being one of 21 Local Authority areas from across the UK to receive a share of £6 million of funding to support progress towards Net Zero.
Up to 90 businesses from across the region will be offered the opportunity to baseline their current emissions and develop an action plan that will support them in working towards transitioning to, and ultimately achieving net zero. The project will also seek to raise awareness of Net Zero and enable knowledge transfer to a wider range of businesses across the region.
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Councillor Malachy Quinn, Chair of the Mid South West Region Governance Steering Group said: "We are delighted to have been awarded funding from Innovate UK, which will enable the MSW Partner Councils to further support and guide our local businesses as they transition to Net Zero. The region is home to over 27,000 businesses with key sectoral strengths in Agri-Food, Manufacturing and Engineering and Construction. These businesses are in energy intensive sectors so it is vital that they get the support they need in their journey towards net-zero emissions to foster a greener future by 2050."
The project was launched at Granville Eco Park, who recently completed the first, successful injection of renewable biomethane into the Northern Ireland gas grid. David McKee, Chief Technical Officer of Bio Capital, owners of Granville Eco Park said: "Replacing imported fossil fuels with a renewable low carbon alternative will go a significant way towards helping Northern Ireland exceed its targets set within the Energy Strategy and Climate Change Act. Diverting biodegradable waste from landfill to generate biomethane is also in line with the draft Circular Economy Strategy and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) ambition to ban biodegradable goods going to landfill by 2030."
