Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
47. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that have been taken to ensure that there is engagement and training with the local enterprise offices on the issue of decarbonisation plans in the small to medium business sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18798/22]
View answerMy Department actively pursues opportunities for decarbonisation across the enterprise base and integrates climate action into all aspects of the Department and its agencies’ activities. We aim to foster strong, resilient businesses, that are successful and sustainable, while meeting our sector’s climate targets.
My Department, in conjunction with Minister Ryan's Department, has launched the Climate Toolkit for Business, which aims to encourage all SMEs to start their zero-carbon journey. The Toolkit provides an estimate of the carbon footprint of the business based on some simple information input, and generates a tailored action plan and highlights relevant state programmes and funding that can assist in implementing the recommended actions. These actions will be in the areas of energy use, water use, materials use and transport. By implementing them, businesses will be well on their way to a greener future.
Officials in my Department and in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications engaged with a Steering Group which was made up of representatives of relevant state agencies and business representative organisations throughout the development of the Climate Toolkit 4 Business.
In March 2021, I launched the Local Enterprise Office Green for Micro programme. This programme offers advice and technical support to qualifying micro-enterprises covering topics such as resource efficiency, understanding your carbon footprint and implementing an environmental management system. This support is free of charge for eligible enterprises and represents the potential for increased efficiencies within companies that adopt these principles. With climate change, changing regulations, rising resource costs and changing customer expectations, adopting an eco-friendlier approach is the best way forward for business.
The Local Enterprise Offices have approved 285 Green for Micro projects since its inception in March 2021, helping to prepare microenterprises for the low carbon, more resource efficient economy of the future.
In 2021, Enterprise Ireland launched the Climate Enterprise Action Fund. It consists of three initiatives designed to help SMEs on their sustainability journey:
- Climate Action Voucher – a €1,800 grant to engage consultants to develop plans in areas such as resource efficiency and renewable energy.
- GreenStart grant – up to €5,000 to measure carbon footprint and identify actions to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably.
- GreenPlus – grant funding of up to 50% to develop a multi-annual climate change plan aligned to international standards and frameworks.
Since the Climate Enterprise Action Fund was launched in 2021, 150 projects have been approved: 84 Climate Action Vouchers, 52 GreenStarts and 14 GreenPlus projects were grant aided.
My Department continues to work to provide supports for decarbonisation, and I hope to be in a position to announce further interventions in the climate arena for enterprises in the near future.
