Businesses and Organisations

Businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf have a vital role to play in our journey to becoming a carbon neutral Council and reduce Carbon across the County Borough. Finding more sustainable and greener ways to operate can help “lower business costs, boost competitiveness and enhance their reputation and brand with key stakeholders” - Companies House Blog – gov.uk.

On this page we have identified some useful websites and online toolkits designed to give business owners the knowledge, steps, and tools to help them to understand and take steps to reduce their own carbon footprint and contribute to make a ‘greener’ RCT.

RCT Grant Information

Through our Corporate Plan (2024-30) – ‘Working with our Communities’, the Council has committed to supporting businesses to prosper and be sustainable, increase our ‘local spend’ and help town centres to thrive. As part of this commitment, there are a range of financial investment programmes available supported by funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Place-making Grant.  There are four programmes available;

• Business Growth Grant: supporting sustainable local business to set up, grow, diversify and contribute to creating a vibrant and strong local economy. Businesses can apply for capital expenditure including energy efficiency/carbon reduction measures.

• Town Centre Minor Improvements Grant: providing support for minor improvements which will improve the external front elevation of town centre properties. Businesses can apply for smaller-scale decorative improvements to the external façade of their commercial premises helping to insulate heat, decrease energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

• Commercial Improvement Grant (CIG): supporting larger scale improvements to commercial buildings with energy efficiency being intrinsic to design. It will improve business energy efficiency, supporting the reduction of costs and improved sustainability. 

• Large Scale Property Improvements Grant (LSPIG): targeting buildings with vacant floorspace in key town centres. It will improve business energy efficiency, supporting the reduction of costs and improved sustainability. 

RCT Carbon Footprint Calculator

The Council is committed to becoming more sustainable through the procurement of the goods and services we buy for and on behalf of the Council.  We understand that our procurement decisions have social, economic, environmental and cultural implications, both locally and nationally. The goods and services we buy form the largest part of the Council’s carbon footprint. To make sure that when we procure goods and services from any business we continue to play our part, we have developed a Carbon Footprint Calculator so that businesses are clear about how they are helping to reduce carbon. The purpose of this tool is to help businesses to calculate their own carbon footprint.

Once completed the tool will provide businesses with their carbon footprint and a report that can then be used to identity where carbon impact can be reduced. For more information and guidance to help your business go to Tenders and Procurement.

 

Websites that businesses may find helpful include:

 

Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – Take Action Now

Businesses are committing to taking climate action. The UK Business Climate Hub provides information on understanding the basics when it comes to Net Zero and why it matters, finance and support, calculating your carbon footprint and how to take action in the following areas:

• Building and home energy use
• Electric vehicles and transport
• Renewable energy
• Waste and recycling
• Production and cold storage
• Supply chain
• Product labels and certifications
• Farming and land use

Business Companion – Understanding Trading Standards Law

For those businesses which need advice with Trading Standards the Business Companion can help. This resource provides information about laws around what you sell, where you sell, or how you sell, and other helpful topics and key activities. It also contains guidance specific to energy efficiency and green claims:

• Household energy efficiency labels that must be displayed on certain electrical goods such as household tumble dryers, washing machines and lamps.
• Energy performance certificates in relation to a property.
• Energy efficiency of rented domestic property where the minimum standard of energy efficiency of certain domestic rented property is a rating of E or above.
• Home renewable technologies, how to become a certified installer of renewable energy under government schemes and incentive schemes available.
• Environmental ‘green’ claims guidance to help your business ensure that any environmental claims you make do not breach consumer protection law. 

Business in the Community (larger organisations) – Seven Steps for Climate Action

Business in the Community is supporting organisations to take climate action. It identifies seven steps for climate action that can help organisations ensure their business model is climate-proof, contribute to a future where people and nature can thrive and help transition to a resilient, net-zero future. Taking the steps can also support in creating value and enhance the prosperity of employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.

1. Embed climate risks and opportunities into your strategy.
2. Target net zero emissions as close to 2030 as possible.
3. Invest wisely and work thoughtfully to help nature thrive.
4. Ensure all employees have the skills they need.
5. Involve diverse stakeholders and support our community.
6. Embrace circular economy practices.
7. Measure and report progress rigorously and transparently.

To find out more about each of the steps download the toolkit here.