The IYRE project provides funding vouchers to SMEs in the southwest of England to improve their environmental performance and reduce costs. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees, £50 million in annual turnover, and £43 million on their balance sheet. The funding can be used for projects that decrease energy, waste, water usage and carbon emissions. Businesses go through an initial meeting, feasibility study, and implementation before receiving up to 50% funding for their project through a voucher. So far in the current year, over 40 businesses have received £254,000 in funding for projects achieving over 4,000 tons of carbon savings.

1. Making IYRE Work for You Today’s Presenters: Rob Emony IYRE Programme Manager SW Region Keith Wyatt Managing Director Eco Projects Chris Springett Environmental Specialist Gloucestershire

2. Agenda: IYRE eligibility and the ‘perfect client’ Working with IYRE from Eco Projects Performance to date and targets for 2012

3. What is the IYRE project? In depth engagement with business to improve environmental performance Improve efficiency and competitiveness Decrease energy, waste and resource costs Decrease environmental impact – Carbon Free for businesses

4. Regional Structures Business West (Glos, Wilts, Bath, Bristol) Wessex Enterprise (Dorset) Peninsula Enterprise (Somerset and Devon)

5. Business West Team Rob Emony (Project manager) Anthony Downes (Bristol and West of England) Chris Springett (Gloucestershire) James Hammond (Wiltshire) Nina Skubala ( Bristol and West of England)

6. Eligibility Must be an SME: <250 FTE <€50m annual turnover < €43m on balance sheet Sectoral restriction Aspirations to grow

7. In reality, what business are we looking for? Ideally > 10 FTE Large premises Intensive resource users (energy, water and materials) Fleet/high mileage Innovation Go by feel…do you think there is room for improvement? Can you see a project there for you or others?

8. Customer Journey Initial Meeting/Scoping Baseline Feasibility/Quotation/Referral Sourcing finance Implementation Return 1 year on to assess impact

9. The Claims Process for Vouchers Client signs offer letter and returns along with bank details and VAT reg document. Keeps claim form Undertakes action and pays for in full Collates claim form, invoice and bank statement and sends to BW contracts Receives agreed funding amount within 2 weeks

10. Wildlife and Wetlands Trust Who? Conservation charity and consultancy, with main site and HQ in Gloucestershire Issue? Business looking to optimise internal business systems and to demonstrate environmental credentials Funding used for: ISO 14001 Pumping assessment and research Lighting changes in restaurant

11. Hints and Tips Consider which of your clients/projects has the potential to receive IYRE support Check client/project eligibility with an IYRE advisor to avoid disappointment Remember that projects must be presented to the funding panel. The decisions to award funding lies with the panel. Remember that retrospective projects cannot be funded. Do not begin projects until your client has fully secured funding i.e. In receipt of a countersigned offer letter. Keep in touch with your IYRE advisor if in doubt.

12. Working with IYRE Keith Wyatt of Eco Projects

13. Performance to date Reminder: Generic Vouchers replaced Capital Grants and Development Vouchers Intervention rate remains at 50% where carbon savings allow it. Can be used for capital equipment purchases including delivery & installation costs Consultants time, typically ISO14001, research or expert advice

14. Performance for FY 2010/2011 Accumulated figures for SW region excluding Cornwall Financial Year April 2010 – March 2011 Offered Target Minimum Project Value # Value # Value £ Development Vouchers 65 £ 181,669 185 £ 462,500 £ 363,338 Capital Grants 47 £ 372,147 46 £ 428,536 £ 744,294 Total 112 £ 553,816 231 £ 891,036 £ 1,107,632

15. Budget for 2011/2012 Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, South Glos, North Somerset, BANES, and Bristol Financial Year April 2011 – March 2012 Budget # Value Generic Vouchers 102 £ 844,525

16. Budget for 2011/2012 Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, South Glos, North Somerset, BANES, and Bristol Financial Year April 2011 – March 2012 Budget Progress to Date # Value # Value Generic Vouchers 102 £ 844,525 40 £ 254,092

17. Budget for 2011/2012 1 st April 2011 – 31 st March 2012 Comments: Six months in and about 1/3 rd allocated £ 500,000 still available Roughly 60 SME ’ s still to find Devon and Somerset support available, limited grants Cornwall excluded

18. Spread of funding to date: 1 st April 2011 – 31 st March 2012

19. CO 2 e Savings and GV Value tCO 2 e £ value 4 33 ~140 40,000 8,300 1,000

20. CO 2 e Savings and GV Value tCO 2 e £ value 4 33 ~140 40,000 8,300 1,000 £ 31,383

21. Exceptions to the rule: A ‘ reasonable ’ variation within min and max values considered on a case by case basis Projects with less than 4 tCO 2 e savings will attract £ 1,000 GV for ISO14001

22. Sources of CO 2 e Savings

23. Working with Other Agencies: Feed in Tariffs Renewable Heat Incentives Carbon Trust Loans (Green Bank) SW Manufacturing Advisory Service SW Design Programme inets

24. Some FAQs: If we work with IYRE, are we excluded from applying for our own GV? How are group companies assessed for SME status? Can individual companies within a group claim their own GVs? Are foreign owned companies eligible? If the SME is not VAT registered can the GV include VAT?

25. Some More FAQs: Are SMEs based outside the South West eligible? They ’ ve had a DV/CG can they have a GV as well? Can an SME have more then one GV? What is the future of IYRE after March 2012? How does the closure of Business Link affect IYRE?

26. Thank you – and any questions? IYRE Team Contact Details Rob Emony IYRE Programme Manager 07769 259485 [email_address] Nina Skubala Environmental Specialist Bristol & Bath 07500 668659 [email_address] Chris Springett Environmental Specialist Gloucestershire 07766 005487 [email_address] Anthony Downes Environmental Specialist Bristol & Bath 07733 333058 [email_address] James Hammond Environmental Specialist Wiltshire 07980 165741 [email_address]