Norman Lamb urges small businesses to seize £40k climate change opportunity.

1.18.31pm GMT Thu 3rd Nov 2005

Applications Close On The 4th Of November 2005

Liberal Democrat Trade & Industry spokesperson Norman Lamb is urging small businesses in East Anglia to take up the opportunity to apply for a Shell Springboard fund. The recently started Shell Springboard Fund is looking to award grants of between £20K and £40K to small businesses in East Anglia with business ideas to combat climate change.

Norman Lamb MP said: "I would encourage any small business in the region which thinks it might be able to take up this great opportunity to look at applying. I hope many businesses in East Anglia can use a Shell Springboard grant to capitalise more on the new markets that climate change is presenting. The grants of between £20,000 and £40,000 should really make a difference and ensure new projects succeed."

To be considered for an award, businesses just need to submit a plan for an innovative and commercially viable product or service that will lead to greenhouse gas reductions - but the closing date is approaching fast.

Judging will be carried out by a Scottish Panel of independent experts, who will be looking for ideas with the potential to break new ground but which also have sound financial planning and market understanding behind them. The idea behind the fund is that the business response to climate change need not be all about compliance and cost. For those with vision, society's need to reduce emissions can also be seen as a positive business opportunity.

And, in a recent Mori survey commissioned by Shell, 87% of SMEs in the UK believe that this market presents a significant opportunity for British business in general and around one fifth (19%) see it as a significant opportunity for their own business.

Nearly a fifth (18%) say they plan to introduce products or services which help to reduce green house gas emission in the next five years. 90% believe there is money to be made in this market and 95% expect the demand for these products and services to increase in the next ten years.

"East Anglia has a thriving community of small businesses full of talent and fresh ideas," said Fons Claessen, Shell Bacton Plant Installation Manager. "It'd be great to see a local company bringing home a Shell Springboard award, so I'd encourage everyone eligible to apply."

Applications to The Shell Springboard Fund can be made online by visiting www.shellspringboard.org