SSE launch free carbon offsetting project stating it will save £6.3m in energy costs

SSE Energy has launched a carbon offsetting project which they claim will save £6.3million in energy costs.

The decarbonisation project, run in conjunction with Zellar, has already been been shortlisted for both a National Sustainability Award for Partnership of the Year, and a Big Sustainability Award for Collaboration.

SSE aim is to assist 4,500 SMEs offset 27,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. SSE's Sustainable Business Communities Project will also provide local authorities with sustainability data.

The first 100 local authorities to apply will receive a free subscription to Zellar. Zellar is a digital emissions tracking system which aims to assist business owners' lower environmental impact.

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The partnership has appealed to Local Authorities to participate in the project. In addition to the 200 Zellar licenses offered, Local Authorities will each be required to match fund a further 100 licences, enabling 300 SMEs, a total of 4,500 nationally, to lower their carbon footprint. 

The deadline for registering for free licences is the end of March 2023.

Nikki Flanders, Managing Director of Energy Customer Solutions at SSE, said: ‘’For the UK to meet its net zero targets, it’s essential that businesses of all sizes are given the right tools and support to reduce their carbon footprint.

“Working in partnership with Zellar, we believe our Sustainable Business Communities project will be a vital enabler for SMEs to get to grips with their sustainability responsibilities and for Local Authorities to track and drive widespread community action.”

Gary Styles, CEO and founder of Zellar, said: “Zellar is on a mission to make sustainability possible for the UK’s six million SMEs. But currently most SMEs don’t even know where to start. At the same time, the ‘cost-of-doing-business crisis’ is a threat to small businesses throughout the UK.

“SSE Energy Solutions’ Sustainable Business Communities initiative will put the Zellar platform into the hands of 4,500 businesses, enable them to understand their environmental impact on the planet at a local level, take actions to reduce and offset that impact within communities and at the same time reduce costs."

Sustainable Business Communities is open for applications. Local Authorities interested in applying to take part in the scheme can contact [email protected].

Image credit Hottinroof.

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