Irish manufacturing and exporting companies have an important role to play in reducing emissions and building a more sustainable future, according to Enterprise Ireland, which is offering a range of green supports to help them.
Recently launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, and the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, the Climate Enterprise Action Fund includes three supports that Mayo-based companies supported by Enterprise Ireland can access to assist on their sustainability journey.
These are: (1 ) Climate Action Voucher – a €1,800 grant to engage consultants to develop plans in areas such as resource efficiency and renewable energy; (2 ) GreenStart – up to €5,000 to measure carbon footprint and identify actions to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably; (3 ) GreenPlus – grant funding of up to 50% to develop a multi-annual climate change plan aligned to international standards and frameworks.
Méabh Conaghan, regional director for the West at Enterprise Ireland said: "Ireland has an ambitious target to reduce emissions by more than 51% by the end of the decade. The enterprise sector accounts for 13 per cent of Ireland’s emissions so it has an important role to play in this national strategy.
"Reducing emissions and adopting more sustainable production practices is a smart business strategy. Increasingly, consumers are placing a premium on environmentally sustainable products and services. Responding positively to this growing demand is important for consumer-facing businesses.
"Likewise, businesses that provide products or services to larger companies are now being required to show transparent environmental credentials and alignment with international standards. Inclusion in this supply chain will increasingly rely on a commitment to our emerging low-carbon, sustainable economy.
"Applications to the Climate Enterprise Action Fund will close on August 31, so I would strongly encourage companies to visit www.globalambition.ie/climateaction for more information."
Enterprise Ireland is also holding a series of webinars to outline the benefits of making sustainability central to business strategy and how to avail of Enterprise Ireland green supports.
