Green for Business

By project TOURBO

Published on 12 February 2024

Ireland

About this good practice

The Government and businesses in Ireland have been recognising the need to transition to sustainable practices to mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure long-term environmental and economic viability. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Green For Business initiative is valuable for tourism businesses who have limited access to information and resources. Engaging in green initiatives improves their reputation, strengthens community ties, and contributes to the overall well-being of their region.
MSMEs participate in green programs to ensure their businesses remain relevant and resilient in a changing market.

LEO offers an online webinar to explain Green For Business. Through their application a business begins their carbon footprint calculations by using their energy bills and logistic bills. If successful, the business is matched with a green consultant who reviews their business carbon footprint and a bespoke green report is produced. The business is responsible for the cost of implementing the green improvements.

Main objectives are:
• Identifying savings
• Assessing resource use and improving resource efficiency
• Understanding and reducing environmental footprint and greenhouse gas emissions
• Increasing access to customers and improving corporate image
• Sourcing support grant funding for energy efficient practices
• Increasing their resilience to climate change

The main stakeholders are Government and Regulatory Bodies, MSMEs, Investors and Suppliers.

Resources needed

Approved MSMEs receive an explanation webinar and 2 days free consultancy services from a green expert to the value of €1,800 + VAT. LEO staff manage the budget allocation, promote this campaign, process applications and approve funding. MSME will be responsible for the cost of the improvements.

Evidence of success

From feedback:
After participating tourism MSMEs have established a greener and a more environmentally friendly way of doing business. They are reducing their carbon footprint, creating sustainability and resource management within their business. As a result they are creating cost savings and their business profile and community reputation has improved.

In 2023 in the Donegal region, 6 tourism SMEs took part in Green For Business and in 2022, 3 tourism SMEs were approved by the program.

Potential for learning or transfer

Businesses will avail of this green practice because it is a free support to reduce their energy costs and improve their business image.

The report structure is transferable:
• Carbon footprint calculation
• Energy analyses and equipment review
• Sustainability policy
• Project outcomes

Improvements advised by a Green Consultant incur costs that MSMEs may not be able to afford. This challenge may be faced by MSMEs in other regions. A transferable incentive for MSMEs partaking in Green for Business is that their green report supports them when applying for other Energy Efficiency Grants to help with the cost of improvements.

This is a free program for MSMEs. LEO's budget depends on the amount of successful applications. There is no extra cost to LEO as Green for Business programme does not require an investment in equipment or human resource as the green consultants are hired externally. This is a methodology that could be adapted in other regions.