SOUTH Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has increased its commitment to supporting small businesses better manage their environmental impacts and reap the benefits of going green.

SLDC has increased its contribution to its partnership with Green Small Business (GSB) to offer a heavily subsidised deal for firms to get environmental advice and certification.

GSB provides streamlined environmental management systems and net zero support for small businesses.

Their environmental action planning and certification package, which includes 12 months Green Small Business certification, usually costs from £299. SLDC is paying 50 per cent of these costs for businesses in South Lakeland.

Tim Maiden from GSB said "Green Small Business provides a straightforward, low-hassle, low-cost way for you to manage the environmental impacts of your small business with tailored environmental policies and plans, green certification and support for becoming a net zero business.”

The package of support includes:

- A high-level but systematic review of the environmental impacts of the business (via video-call or phone);

- A draft environmental action plan and policy for the business, for you to adjust as necessary;

- 12 months Green Small Business certification.

Councillor Dyan Jones, SLDC's Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “It is great to see so many businesses in South Lakeland taking their environmental impacts seriously and taking steps to reduce them.

"We at SLDC are delighted to be able to extend our offer, through Green Small Business, of expert support which will see more enterprises become increasingly energy efficient and environmentally aware."