Data from a digital sustainability platform shows businesses have saved more than £150,000 in energy spending.
Zellar was supported by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and Business Gateway Growth Hub in a partnership aiming to help 100 local firms move towards Net Zero by 2030.
The online platform scores organisational sustainability measures and helps businesses to reduce energy use and carbon footprint.
Its data shows that, across the 100 participating businesses from the LLEP area, energy-related spend has been reduced by £151,000 over the course of the programme so far.
Meanwhile, the Zellar data shows that 114 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been saved.
Neil McGhee, LLEP Board Member and Low Carbon Champion:
“Giving local businesses the tools to move towards sustainability is just one of the ways we are working towards Net Zero and carbon reduction goals.
“We are supporting many local businesses towards 2030, and helping 100 of them to monitor energy usage is one practical way for businesses to plan and take action.
“In being armed with the data to track outcomes, businesses are better placed to reduce their emissions and continue making improvements.”
Zellar starts by measuring business emissions before suggesting actions and creating plans to help make reductions. Suggestions vary depending on the sector and size of the business.
Actions taken by firms participating in the LLEP programme include establishing sustainability meetings and regular reporting, eliminating single use plastics, minimising business-related travel, and sourcing from local suppliers.
Basic messaging was also reinforced, with firms encouraged to tighten up on keeping windows and doors closed when the heating was on, turning off lights and equipment, and improving recycling rates.
Our approach to sustainability