Funding Opportunities

• By 18 December. The National Lottery has launched a new £100 million Climate Action Fund to help people and communities take the lead in tackling the climate emergency.

• By 5 January 2020. UK businesses are being invited to apply for an innovation project aimed at improving air quality and boosting electric vehicle uptake in India. 

• By 8 January 2020. Apply for a share of up to £480,000 for modernising energy data access. To achieve net zero emission, we must further decarbonise our energy supply and demand. 

• By 15 January 2020. Up to £100,000, is available to companies developing carbon reducing technology, products and services which are relevant to the automotive industry.

• By 22 January 2020. Businesses can apply for a share of up to £20 million to support ambitious projects developing new and more efficient ways to produce the UK’s food.

• By 26 February 2020. Up to £15 million of grant funding is available through the Transforming Food Production Science and Technology into Practice programme.

• By 30 June 2021. The Worcestershire Natural Networks scheme aims to boost biodiversity in an ERDF-funded venture which includes SWM members Worcestershire County Council.

• By 31 December 2021. Businesses in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can benefit from free energy audits and 60% grant funding towards energy efficiency measures.

• By 31 December 2021. Marches Renewable Energy is a grant scheme allowing eligible applicants to apply for a 50% grant for the installation of renewable technologies. 

• By 31 December 2022. GBSLEP Habitats Grants Programme is still open. The Programme is focused on reducing dereliction and the improvement and development of natural habitats. 

• On-going. The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is a £10 million programme which supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects.

• On-going. Monthly themed funding for Birmingham based projects that aim to deliver positive change is available.  

• On-going. The Community and Environment Fund is to provide benefits to communities along the route disrupted by the construction of HS2.

• On-going. BEIS funding of around £162 million is available in industrial research and innovation, including Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS).

• On-going. The UK Government has announced how to apply for the Urban Tree Challenge fund, which has £10m available for the planting of trees in urban areas in England.

Over the past year we have promoted >£900 million of accessible funding.

Upcoming SWM and Member Events

• MEBC is running an event tomorrow focusing on 'Clean Energy: heating and cooling in the Food and Drink Sector.'
• GBSLEP is inviting SMEs to pitch their Adult Social Care challenge innovations at an event on 2 December in Birmingham.
• The SWM Annual Conference is taking place on 3 December in Birmingham, at which we will be launching the new regional Sustainability Roadmap to 2030. #SWMVision2030.
• Triple Point Heat Network Renewable Heat for Heat Networks Conference is happening 4 December in London, looking at the opportunity to integrate renewable heating technology. 
• Meres & Mosses Business Environment Network will be showing off how good environmental practices will benefit business at an event in Oswestry on 4 December. 
• Cenex's Electric Vehicle Charging Innovations Conference on the 4 December in Nottingham includes industry speakers showcasing new EV innovations that will improve UK infrastructure.
• University of Birmingham will be hosting an Actions and Decisions for Responsible Business Conference on 5 December in London. 
• SWM, in partnership with the Innovation Alliance WM, is convening the next Innovative Low Carbon Working Group meeting on 9 December, hosted by National Grid.
• SWM is working with GBSLEP are inviting SMEs to pitch their ideas on how to solve Birmingham's Air Quality problem at an event on 10 December.
• Climate Change Solutions are running an event on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell at Loughborough University on the 14 January, to hear about the latest developments of Hydrogen Ful Cells. 

A full list of upcoming events is available here as well as our full member list here.

Other SWM and Member Updates 

• SWM welcomes new member Arup, a firm of designers, engineers, architects, planners, consultants and technical specalists, working across every aspect of today’s built environment. 
• SWM welcomes new member Noreus Ltd whose mission is to provide homeowners and business with renewable heating systems, green energy solutions and a healthier life.
• SWM welcomes new member AceOn Group who specialise in research, development and manufacturing of intelligent battery systems and solar products.
• SWM welcomes new member Morzak, a dynamic business, offering electrical services and electric vehicle chargepoint installations for both the domestic and commercial customers.
• SWM has outlined how we can support organisations with their climate emergency declarations and meeting net zero targets. 
• SWM has published the latest 'Sustainability Benchmakring Technical Report on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
• Transport for West Midlands has published the Draft Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Strategic Transport Plan and would like your comments before 6 December.
• Worcestershire County Council is seeking a service provider to deliver Business Support for Low Carbon Innovation and Development of Products Processes and Services by 13 December.
• The Environment Agency is requiring you to apply for an abstraction licence before 31 December. 

• SHAP is looking for a Young Board Member to provide different perspectives to the SHAP Board. 

• NFU has set the goal of net zero emissions by 2040, as part of the UK’s 2050 net zero target. 

• Energy Systems Catapult's Living Lab is a 100-home test environment for businesses to trial new heat products and services with people in homes.

• Energy Systems Catapult has launched its policy review, The policy and regulatory context for new Local Energy Markets, to ensure businesses are aware of the potential benefits and risks.

• Energy Systems Catapult has mapped the UK’s Digital Energy Landscape. The fast-growing sector has businesses spanning digital platforms, services and physical assets. 

• Energy Systems Catapult has launched a new energy system modelling tool to provide advice on how storage and flexibility technologies could help the UK decarbonise at least cost.

• Energy Systems Catapult is to develop a best practice guide for the handling of energy data encompassing a wide range views from across the sector.

• West Midlands Combined Authority has teamed up with Google in fight against climate change by making crucial climate data available in the region’s three main cities. 

• West Midlands Combined Authority has a vacancy for an Inclusive Growth Policy and Delivery Officer, who will reshape the economy so that it delivers social and economic outcomes.

SWM members can send their events, research or other contributions to enquiries@swm.org.uk to be included in the next newsletter. Not a member? There are many advantages to SWM membership; find out more here.

Other News and Events

• CIWEM is talking about incorporating green infrastructure into urban design and retrofitting in Birmingham 12 December.
• The Climate Change Committee is investigating climate risks to UK businesses through a survey that closes on 12 December.
• Climate Action Network West Midlands is currently searching for the first cohort of students to attend a short course for climate champions in January 2020. 
• The Federation of Small Businesses is beginning its search for the best small businesses in the West Midlands. The closing date for applications is 17 January 2020. 

• Midlands Energy Hub has issued a guide as a starting point in highlighting the potential opportunity of joint venture working and outlining of the steps required.  

• Midlands Energy Hub's Autumn Newsletter is available to view here.

• The Government has released the English indices of deprivation 2019 mapping resource.

• Parliment sends 30,000 invitations for citizens' assembly on climate change, which will be held in Birmingham next year.

• Greener Birmingham over the last six months have consulted the city’s residents on the local environmental issues that matter most to them in The Big Green Conversation.

• Birmingham 2020 Commonwealth Games Social Values Charter outlines values from conception through planning and implementation, review, and post-Games activities.

• Stoke-on-Trent: Decentralised Energy Purchasing Organisation can now provide access to a series of OJEU compliant procurement frameworks.

• Green Alliance's 'The Route to Clean Growth' report maps the economic risks and opportunities with addressing environmental issues.

• Fundraising UK Foundations sign up to new Funder Commitment on Climate Change - 19 charities have sigined up for to pledge to undertake six key steps in response to the crisis.

• Green Gown 2019 Awards put a spotlight on the innovative and inspiring sustainability work taking place in universities and colleges and some of our members are highlighted!

For a full list of all our upcoming events, visit our events page here. For news items, visit our news page here.

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