UP to 100 businesses, social enterprises, and community organisations across the Highlands and Islands are being offered free expert support to get their climate credentials in place.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is partnering with Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) to roll out the successful Climate Springboard training programme to businesses and charities in the region.
The six-week online programme helps organisations calculate their current carbon emissions, create a practical plan to reach net zero by 2045, and identify immediate steps to reduce emissions and costs.
Enterprises are increasingly asked to provide data on their carbon footprint from customers or when applying for funding or contracts. The programme helps them meet those requirements – and identify the opportunities in the net zero transition.
The programme will also help businesses find ways to adapt to increased storms, erosion, floods and supply chain disruption. Flooding alone costs the Highlands region £11 million per year, a figure which is set to rise to £20 million per year by 2050.
ECCI has already supported more than 275 organisations across Scotland with straightforward, jargon-free climate action training. Participants benefit from lively, interactive workshops, one-to-one guidance, and access to a growing peer network.
Keith Masson, head of net zero transition at HIE, said, “This partnership gives businesses and organisations across the Highlands and Islands access to leading expertise and practical tools to help them plan and take climate action. It’s about giving local enterprises what they need – the data, the plan, and the confidence – to help secure contracts and funding.”
Mhairi Cochrane, Climate Springboard programme manager at ECCI, added, “We’re very excited to welcome more organisations from the region onto the programme. Our aim is to take away the overwhelm and make preparing for net zero simple and relevant for those facing so many pressures right now. Climate action doesn’t have to be costly or complicated – in fact, when people are supported to get started, it brings immense economic and social benefits- we’re here to help organisations harness those.”
The programme will be run in group workshops over the coming year. With the first starting on Tuesday 2 December. Find out more and register interest here.
