If you’re looking to decarbonise your organisation’s operations or improve the sustainability of your workspaces, there may be green financing options available to ease the costs.
According to research by the British Business Bank, 11 per cent of SMEs have accessed finance to support net zero actions, and 22 per cent have claimed they’re prepared to access finance for net zero projects within the next five years. Furthermore, a lack of funding has consistently been cited as one of the key barriers to sustainable developments, with 38 per cent of UK businesses claiming funding issues are a top five barrier to taking sustainability action. Overcoming these finance barriers is essential to ensure organisations are able to deliver net zero ambitions and access the support they need.
Here are the green finance and funding options available to UK organisations today.
These help eligible UK businesses finance their sustainability ambitions across various green technologies with borrowing options starting at £50,001 up £10m for a fixed rate term.
This loan is designed to fund eligible green assets for businesses undergoing net zero transitions. You can borrow £25,001 with no arrangement fees covering assets contributing to greener buildings, renewable energy, greener living, or green farming.
Designed to increase accessibility to sustainable solutions. The loan is available to UK SMEs with a turnover up to £25m, with loans starting at £1,000, or £50,000 for asset finance, and reaching a maximum potential value of £25m. However, 90 per cent of the loan proceeds must be applied in alignment with a category from their Green SME Funding Eligibility Guide.
Aimed at businesses with a turnover between £3m and £25m, the loan is available across term lending, purpose revolving credit facilities, and asset finance. The loan applies to green projects designed to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, transition to low carbon transport, reduce waste, and improve water efficiency.
If you have a small or medium-sized business in Greater Manchester, you may be eligible for our Energy Efficiency Grant offering up to £5,000 (before VAT) towards energy efficiency improvements in your business.
The Low Carbon Innovation Fund (LCIF) has invested over £100m for SMEs in England looking to introduce environmentally beneficial technologies to their operations.
The Virgin Money Sustainable Business Loan is aimed at those who run a sustainable business. The loans make borrowing cheaper for sustainable businesses. Eligible customers borrowing at least £250,000 will face no arrangement fees. Overall, Virgin have committed 5 per cent of all their business loans to organisations driving environmental and social change.
Approach your local council and enquire about their energy efficiency funding and support for sustainable business growth.
Siemens offer finance to businesses of any size to ensure they can access the latest tech and equipment.
The OZEV offers Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) with applications being accepted between April 2022 and March 2025. The WCS offers money off the cost of charge point installations with a maximum grant of £15,000. This covers up to £350 per charge point socket installed up to 40 sockets, and up to £500 per parking space with supporting infrastructure. You can receive up to five grants across 5 different sites.
If you are looking to install charge points at the homes of your fleet drivers, homeowners are eligible for a charge point grant providing a 75 per cent contribution to the cost of a single charge point and installation.
The NatWest Green Asset Finance is available specifically for zero emission vehicles alongside other green technology solutions. The loans range between £25,000 and £10m.
WRAP manages grants, loans and investments to encourage increased use of recycled materials and capacity.
Aimed at Scottish businesses, the Circular Economy Investment Fund supports sustainable business growth with waste and recycling plans, strategies and investment.
GC Business Growth Hub's Business Support & Funding Finder is designed to help organisations identify and navigate their funding options.
The Funding is a simple search function that will help you identify financing options for your green projects.
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