Did you know that small UK businesses spend around £6 billion a year on energy of which £1bn is wasted? This equates to 12 million tonnes of unnecessary carbon being emitted every year through wasting energy.

An average small business spends nearly £5,000 a year on energy but could be wasting nearly a fifth (£900, 18%) of this by using older inefficient equipment and leaving equipment and lighting on unnecessarily and heating / cooling to inappropriate levels.

Your business could save £300 through low and no cost measures but could save up to £900 a year by implementing energy efficiency measures that require some initial investment.

St Albans City & District Council, in association with the St Albans Local Strategic Partnership, has developed a free environmental checklist aimed at helping small organisations and businesses make a start in assessing their environmental performance, including energy consumption and waste management.

The checklist takes you through a series of simple questions, and based on your responses and a score you calculate yourself, your organisation is given a starting point from which to progress.

After returning your completed checklist you will receive a free report giving advice and recommendations on how to 'green-up' your business, and save money!

To receive a copy of the How Green Is Your Valley checklist, or to get further information, contact the Sustainability Team on 01727 819 466 or e-mail sustainability@stalbans.gov.uk

The Carbon Trust is a government funded independent company that helps businesses and public sector organisations reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change. The aim of the Carbon Trust is to communicate with businesses to highlight the cost savings that can be made through energy efficiency and the effect this can have on their bottom line.

1. The Energy Efficiency Helpline - 0800 085 2005
   The Helpline provides free telephone advice about what businesses can do to save energy and money. Calls to the Helpline are completely free and treated in confidence.
2. Sector-Specific Online Information and Advice
   The Carbon Trust's website provides useful information and advice as well as tailored fact sheets which offer businesses sector specific guidance. The website includes an online Action Plan Tool which helps businesses produce a tailored action plan taking into account sector, size and level of energy efficiency expertise.
3. Free Publications
   The Carbon Trust has one of the biggest online collections of free independent energy efficiency publications which are available to be downloaded from the website.
4. Interest Free Loans and Investment Funds
   Energy Efficiency Loans can help SMEs save money by helping them to replace existing equipment with more energy efficient versions. Businesses can be awarded an interest free loan of between £5,000 and £100,000 to fund the purchase of equipment such as lighting, boilers or insulation. The Carbon Trust also invests in low carbon technologies and projects.
5. Energy Surveys
   An Energy Survey involves a specialist consultant carrying out a review of energy use for a site, and then producing a practical action plan to identify energy saving opportunities and how these savings can be achieved. The Carbon Trust has worked with thousands of companies to identify savings of between 10% - 30% of their energy bills. Recommendations include many no or low cost actions that pay for themselves immediately or within a few months.
6. Tax Relief on New Equipment
   The Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) is a tax relief that allows businesses to deduct 100% of their qualifying capital expenditure against their taxable profits in the period of investment. The Carbon Trust manages the Energy Technology List (ETL) which details the products that qualify for the ECA. The ETL currently includes over 6000 products which meet published energy saving criteria.

The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation that works with households, businesses and communities to promote energy saving. Funded by government and the private sector, the Energy Saving Trust aims to achieve the sustainable use of energy, and to cut carbon dioxide emissions, one of the key contributors to climate change.

Transport
If you're looking for cleaner, more sustainable travel and transport options that could save you money, the Energy Saving Trust can help.

Whether you are a concerned individual, a fleet operator or an employer, you'll find impartial advice, relevant information and useful links within their website.

The Energy Saving Trust Information Centre offers:

• press releases
• case studies

• greener vehicles
• efficient driving
• options on ways to travel

For more information visit www.est.org.uk/fleet or call the transport helpline on 0845 602 1425.

Housing Trade
The Energy Saving Trust offers energy efficiency information and support to manufacturers, retailers, merchants and installers in the following industries:

• White goods
• Brown goods (televisions and other aspirational consumer goods)
• Glazing
• Insulation
• Heating

The Energy Saving Trust also supports the 'Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes'. It unites over 500 manufacturers, retailers, distributors and installers as well as public and voluntary organisations. Keep abreast of things and have your say in the policy decisions of the future.

For more information visit www.est.org.uk/housingtrade or call 0207 222 0101