New initiative launched to help businesses reduce energy use
06 August 2025
North Northamptonshire Council have launched a new initiative to help local businesses and community groups understand and reduce their energy use and environmental impact.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the programme will support organisations to design their own decarbonisation plans and access grants that will help them shift to more sustainable practices and save money.
North Northamptonshire Council has appointed Urban Foresight, a strategic innovation consultancy, to deliver the programme. Urban Foresight brings extensive experience in supporting cleaner growth and environmental responsibility across the UK and Ireland. This collaboration, developed in partnership with SmartCarbon is enabling a targeted and cost-effective programme delivery.
They are also currently working with North Northamptonshire council to develop the Local Area Energy Plan, providing valuable insights into local priorities.
What the programme offers
Thanks to UKSPF funding, participating organisations will receive free access to a user-friendly platform to measure their carbon footprint and develop a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP).
The programme aims to support:
- 50 businesses and 25 community groups to complete carbon footprint assessments
- 20 businesses and 15 community groups to progress to CRPs aligned with the latest public procurement requirements, enhancing their ability to compete for private and public sector contracts and providing a pathway to decarbonisation.
A structured series of workshops will also be delivered to build capacity and ensure that CRPs are not only developed but are also actionable.
This programme builds on the success of previous initiatives run by the council and complements wider environmental and economic development work to enhance the area and attract investment. It also provides continuity for organisations seeking support beyond the current rounds of the Rural Business Grant Scheme and Business Growth Grant Scheme, which closed in June 2025.
This funding is about giving local businesses the tools, knowledge and confidence to take action and deliver wider benefits.Cllr Jan O’Hara, the council’s Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth
As a council, we are committed to using funding sources available to us to helping businesses grow and diversify. This programme will enable them to become more efficient, competitive and resilient, building on other schemes across the council and making sure North Northamptonshire is a great place to live, work and invest.
With more and more businesses looking at carbon reduction measures, it is important that we use the funds available to us to support them.Cllr Ken Harrington, the council’s Executive member for Assets, Waste and Environmental Services
Schemes like this encourage businesses to look to the future, think about their carbon footprint and complements wider environmental work in North Northants.
Further support will be available through the upcoming Powering Change Grant Scheme, due to launch in September 2025, and additional community grants.
Anyone interested in the programme should email [email protected] to register their interest.