Green Business Officer
Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG)
SEAI will provide financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site. Grants are available for systems up to 6kWp (Approx. 16 Panels or 25m²) with a potential of savings between €2,000 - €3000 annual electrical costs (depending on installation size and current utility rates).
Learn more and apply here.
Energy Contracting Support Scheme
SEAI provides financial assistance to businesses and public sector organisations to deliver energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects through Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs), Local Energy Supply Contracts (LESCs) and Energy Performance Guarantees (EPGs). Successful applicants receive up to 75% funding of eligible costs, subject to a maximum limit of:
• €50,000 for Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) / Local Energy Supply Contracts (LESC)
• €25,000 for Energy Performance Guarantees (EPGs)
For more information, click here.
The Small Firms Association has launched the ‘SFA Motor Savings Scheme’, an exclusive one-stop-shop for members with cars or vans, who want to see €1,000 of savings per vehicle, per annum.
Find out more here.
Energy Monitoring and Tracking Systems Funding
Under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (2021-2026), projects supporting the digital and climate transition of enterprises are being funded through the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. Energy Monitoring and Tracking Systems installed by manufacturing clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta that facilitate emissions reductions as part of a decarbonisation plan are eligible for funding.
The fund will operate on an open call basis. It will remain open to applications until 1 October 2025, or until such time as the budget is exhausted, whichever date is earlier. Investment shall be completed by no later than 31 August 2026.
For more information on project eligibility and grant rates visit here.
Business Sustainability Supports
Ireland has a target to reduce carbon emissions (greenhouse gas emissions) by 51% by 2030, and to achieve a climate neutral economy by 2050. (source: Government Report). In order to do this, businesses are encouraged to invest in a greener future, through sustainable products, services and business models. Whatever the size or sector of your business, it is really important to reduce emissions and to promote environmentally sustainable practices in how it operates.
62% of people say that a business’s positive sustainability credentials have an impact on their decision to buy that firm’s products or services (source: AIB Sustainability Index). Given the impact of climate change, new regulations, rising resource costs and changing customer expectations, adopting an eco-friendlier approach is the best way forward for any business.
DLR County Council supports an environmental awareness programme for businesses and honours those organisations that demonstrate leadership in environmental stewardship in the county. The Green Business Officer is available to offer advice and to discuss actions you can take to minimise the impact your business has on the environment. To contact the Green Business Officer, e-mail mcoles@dlrcoco.ie or telephone (01) 205 4846.
€coMerit Programme
€coMerit is a three-year environmental improvement programme, supported by DLR County Council, that can help small, medium and large organisations save money by looking closely at energy, water and waste costs and finding cost-efficient ways of reducing them.
You can learn more about the €coMerit Programme here
Green for Micro
DLR’s Local Enterprise Office is offering businesses with up to ten employees two days of free consulting by a Green Consultant, to help prepare them for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future. Developing a 'greener' policy can offer a range of benefits to your business, including;
• Increased cost savings
• Improved resource efficiency (e.g. using less energy, water and materials)
• Reduced environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions
• Opportunities for higher and additional value on products and services
• Greater access to customers and improved corporate image
• More resilience to climate change impacts
You can learn more about the Green for Micro programme here.
Lean for Micro
Lean tools and techniques are helping companies across the globe to address competitiveness issues within their businesses, build the capability of their people to identify issues and improve their operations. Lean for Micro is designed to encourage businesses to adopt Lean principles in their organisations to increase competitiveness. The key to becoming and remaining competitive is Lean: the relentless pursuit of value to the customer.
Lean tools and techniques will help you to:
• Increase your profitability and competitiveness
• Analyse and improve your systems and processes to increase productivity and the bottom line
• Identify systems required to improve your communications and structure e.g. accounts systems, Customer Relations Management, etc.
• Optimise technology and automation of tasks for labour intensive processes
• Simplify administration to grow your business
• Experience the benefit of a breakthrough improvement project
You can learn more about our Lean for Micro programme here.
GreenStart
GreenStart funding is for projects which allow businesses make cost savings and improve environmental performance through greater resource efficiency. Other outcomes may include achieving a competitive advantage and greater market share through their enhanced credentials. Projects may vary in scope from implementing a structured environmental management and reporting system to understanding the carbon or environmental footprint of products or services. Participants can apply for grant support towards the cost of hiring a Green Consultant to do a short in-company project to design environmental best practice systems and structures, achieve cost reduction targets and lay a foundation for future environmental improvement projects. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
• Guidance with implementing a basic Environmental Management System based on the ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act’ continuous improvement philosophy
• Guidance with developing a corporate sustainable strategy and aligning to national /international frameworks e.g. Origin Green, Carbon Disclosure Project, UN Environmentally Sustainable Development Goals,
• Guidance with Life Cycle Assessment
• Guidance with Circular Economy thinking/transition to Circular Economy business models
You can learn more about the GreenStart support here
GreenPlus
GreenPlus funding supports medium-scale projects aimed at developing a high level of environmental management capabilities, driving environmental efficiencies and achieving improved sustainability by establishing and embedding continuous improvement systems and behaviours. This will increase the agility and resilience of businesses to climate change impacts. Eligible activities include developing a comprehensive climate change and sustainability plan and aligning to international standards and frameworks.
In order to support the change process within the company, the funding can also be used to cover part of the salary cost for up to ten Green Project team members over the project duration to develop and implement environmental best practice within the company by learning themselves and subsequently training others in environmental improvement tools and techniques. The project team members will be responsible for driving continuous environmental improvement and efficiency. Projects may vary in size and scope but will typically be 12 months in duration.
You can learn more about GreenPlus here.
Accelerated Capital Allowance
The Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) is a tax incentive scheme that promotes investment in energy efficient products and equipment. The ACA is based on the long-standing ‘Wear and Tear Allowance’ for investment in capital plant and machinery, whereby capital depreciation can be compensated through a reduction in an organisation’s tax liability.
The ACA scheme allows a sole trader, farmer or company that pays corporation tax in Ireland to deduct the full cost of the equipment from their profits in the year of purchase. As a result, the reduction in tax paid by the organisation in that year is currently 12.5% of the value of capital expenditure. By contrast, the Wear and Tear Allowance provides the same tax reduction, but this is spread evenly over an eight-year period.
You can learn more about the Accelerated Capital Allowance here
Exeed
The EXEED grant scheme is designed for organisations who are planning an energy investment project. Grant support of up to €1,000,000 per project is available. SEAI provide grant support for projects which are following the EXEED Certified standard for Excellence in Energy Efficient Design.
The EXEED standard encourages innovation in design projects to help future-proof the investment, by:
• optimising energy performance,
• reducing operational energy costs and carbon emissions,
• improving competitiveness and
• demonstrating commitment to sustainability, which could also bring a reputational boost.
You can learn more about Exeed here.
Support Scheme for Renewable Heat
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat helps businesses adopt renewable heating systems by providing a grant for:
• Air source heat pumps
• Ground source heat pumps
• Water source heat pumps
The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users. Successful applicants can get an installation grant of up to 30% of eligible costs, as well as ongoing operational support for up to 15 years.
You can learn more about the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat here
Climate Ready
Skillnet Ireland has launched Climate Ready, a 5-year national climate initiative. Programmes are fully-funded or offered at a subsidised cost for Irish businesses and employees in the private sector. The Climate Ready Academy offers specialised training for businesses in:
• Climate action
• Sustainability
• Corporate social responsibility
Businesses can also develop sustainability awareness and learn about best practices using the Climate Ready online learning platform or register for a free 12-week online workshop about reducing energy waste, delivering cost savings, and protecting the environment. To further develop your knowledge of sustainability practices in the workplace, visit the Climate Ready Insights website by Skillnet Ireland.
You can learn more about Climate Ready here
National Water Charges for Businesses
In line with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) decision on non-domestic tariffs a new set of national water and wastewater business charges came into effect on the 1 October 2021. More details can be found here.
Water Conservation for Business
Irish Water has an online information hub to help businesses conserve water. This includes videos, fact sheets and ‘how-to’ guides to help your business reduce water waste. The Water Conservation for Business hub also includes practical advice for specific sectors, including:
• Hospitality
• Agriculture
• Manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical
You can learn more about Water Conservation for Business here
SEAI Energy Academy
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offers an e-learning service called Energy Academy to:
• Advise organisations how to meet energy efficiency goals
• Show how energy efficiency practices can help reduce energy waste and lower your carbon footprint
• Upskill staff on energy efficiency
You can learn more about the SEAI Energy Academy here
Project Assistance Grants
Spending over €250,000 per year on your energy bills? The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland provides grants to help you develop projects to reduce energy consumption and costs.
You can learn more about Project Assistance Grants here
Other Useful Links for Businesses
My Waste provides a step-by-step Guide on How to Manage your Business Waste. Resources to assist you to implement good waste management practices in your business or workplace include downloadable posters, bin labels, a checklist and four short animations. A limited number of printable materials are also available to order free of charge to businesses.
Conscious Cup provides videos and a step- by-step guide on how Contactless Coffee works in practice. Since Covid-19 many countries around the world have introduced Contactless Coffee to safely serve customers in their own reusable cup. Coffee outlets that accept reusable cups can apply to be listed on the site thus benefitting from a wider reach.
The Green Teams National Training Programme is a taught and online training and support programme to help green team members in organisations better promote sustainable action in the workplace. Developed through the EPA’s Green Enterprise scheme, by Waterford Institute of Technology and Consulteco, it is the national programme for workplace environmental champions and green team members in Ireland. More details here
CIRCULÉIRE is the national platform for circular manufacturing in Ireland which takes manufacturers and their supply-chains on a journey from linear to circular business models through baselining, auditing, business case development and deep demonstration innovation projects delivering significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) (Scope 1, 2 and 3) and in waste production across the network. It is a public-private partnership created by Irish Manufacturing Research and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and EIT Climate-KIC with 25 Founding Industry Members. More details here