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The following is a list of freely available resources to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on their journey to Net Zero. Whether you have an action plan in place, or don’t know where to begin, these resources can help you move towards a more sustainable business model.

There are lots of actions a business can take to reduce its environmental impact, but it can be helpful to first understand the degree of carbon emissions associated with your business operation.

Carbon Action Programme 

Our Carbon Action Programme (CAP) is now live! It provides a package of support to businesses and community organisations looking to reduce their carbon footprint through funded support. Designed in response to our SME Decarbonisation Survey, the CAP offers free resources to East Devon organisations to help cut energy usage, reduce waste and transition to a low carbon future.

The first stage of CAP support is specialist on-hand support to help your business or community organisation to reduce its carbon emissions. Pick the level of support to meet your individual needs, from free training and workshops, to surveys of your current footprint, and an individualised carbon reduction plan to show you which actions to prioritise and how much money you could save. This provision is being delivered by Business Information Point and can be accessed now.

The second stage will be a grant scheme called the Carbon Action Fund (CAF). Businesses and community organisations will be able to apply to the CAF for decarbonisation equipment recommended by a carbon action plan. Applicants will need to provide a carbon survey and carbon reduction plan, funded either through the CAP or by the applicant themselves, in order to apply for grant funding. 

The Carbon Action Fund is now open for applications for any organisations who have received a carbon survey and reduction plan through CAP or have sourced one privately within the last year. 

If you want to measure your carbon footprint…

Free, online carbon measuring tools are available at:

If you are looking for sector specific resources and toolkits, a comprehensive list is available as part of the Emission Possible WWF Toolkit.

If you want to learn more about business sustainability…

If you want specialist support…

  • Prosper, the new business support service for East Devon, Exeter, and Mid Devon, offers a broad range of business support programmes. This includes dedicated Net Zero support, including 1:1 support from an adviser. Use the form on their website to register your interest
  • The University of Exeter's Green Consultants Scheme offers employers the opportunity to work with students looking to start careers in the environmental and sustainability sector
  • The government's ‘Find a Grant’ service enables you to search for live opportunities to apply for grant funding
  • Loans are available from several banks to support the purchase of decarbonisation equipment. A list of opportunities is available on the British Business Bank website
  • If you have resources to do this, there are different companies you can engage to assist you in measuring your carbon footprint and developing an action plan to reduce your emissions