How to become a net zero business

Changing your business strategy and direction to become a net zero business can be daunting – but you don’t have to do it alone. A growing range of support schemes is available to help you on your journey.

The SME Climate Hub has guidance on sourcing financial support for reducing emissions, including from:

• customers/buyers
• banks
• grants and other government support
• balance sheet and investors

You can find more information on climate awareness programmes and events.

National support for net zero businesses

United Kingdom government-backed schemes are available to support businesses making innovative and game-changing investments in a green future for themselves, their sectors and customers.

Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator

Funding for industrial-scale demonstrations of novel technologies with the potential to reduce energy consumption, maximise resource efficiency and cut carbon emissions – find out more about the Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator.

Industrial Energy Transformation Fund

Financial support for businesses with high energy use to cut their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions through investing in energy efficiency and low carbon technologies – find out more about the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.

Workplace Charging Scheme 

A voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points – find out more about the Workplace Charging Scheme.

Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme

A voucher-based scheme for businesses experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas to help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband – find out more about the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.

Local business support programmes for net zero

Several local support programmes for environmental action, climate mitigation and progressing towards net zero are available for businesses:

Cycle-Friendly Employer Accreditation Scheme

Scheme which helps organisations become cycle-friendly employers - find out more about the Cycle-Friendly Employer Accreditation Scheme.

Employer active travel support

Scheme which supports employers to encourage their employees to consider active travel in their daily routine - find out more about Employer active travel support.

Energy Efficiency Capital Grants

Invest Northern Ireland grant support to help businesses to buy and install energy efficient equipment - find out more about Energy Efficiency Capital Grants.

LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme 2024-25

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council financial assistance to allow groups and organisations to improve the general cleanliness in their local area, particularly in respect of litter, to promote recycling, reuse and waste reduction, and to look at ways of reducing carbon footprint by taking simple, practical actions such as planting - find out more about the LiveSmart Community Environmental Grant Programme 2024-25.

MEANZ Business

Programme provides knowledge and expertise to businesses to help them achieve a high level of Net Zero readiness open to companies based in the Borough of Mid and East Antrim (excluding farming, retail, and hospitality sectors) - find out more about the MEANZ Business programme.

Operational Excellence Solutions

Coaching support to help Northern Ireland companies improve their competitive advantage by increasing their productivity and profitability - find out more about Operational Excellence Solutions.

Sustainability Reports

Invest Northern Ireland support to give businesses an understanding of their environmental performance across several areas, such as raw materials, energy, carbon, packaging, biodiversity and waste - find out more about Sustainability Reports.

Resource Matching Service

Invest NI and International Synergies provide an opportunity to transfer business waste, unwanted materials and by-products from one business or organisation to be reused, recycled, reprocessed and repackaged by another - find out more about the Resource Matching Service.

Technical Consultancy Service for energy and waste management

Invest NI support to help you identify areas for increased efficiency and cost savings is available to all Northern Ireland businesses with an annual energy and resource spend more than £30,000 - find out more about the Invest NI's Technical Consultancy Service.

Find these and more support programmes through our Business Support Finder tool.