The not-for-profit business, which is part of the Yorkshire Forward development agency, will now be known as Resource Efficiency Yorkshire (REY), with the aim of helping local firms to understand the benefits that resource efficiency can bring to their business.
He said: “This funding is an unprecedented commitment to help the region's businesses capitalise on cost reduction opportunities and growing environmental markets. Improving resource efficiency presents businesses with a unique opportunity to win contracts.
“REY foresees a future where we 'decouple' economic growth from resource use and its environmental impact,” he added. “But this can only be done by creating new businesses, jobs and attracting investment in new generation environmental businesses that service the needs of all businesses in the region that want to 'green' their operations.”
RAY was originally established in 2005, with the aim of funding innovative ideas for recycling around Yorkshire, leading to Mr Hartley describing it at the time as a “regional WRAP” (see letsrecycle.com story).
Aims
One of the main aims of the rebranded project will be aligning support and investment to increase demand from businesses for resource efficiency improvements, new environmental technologies and services, while at the same time boosting the number, and capacity, of service providers such as recyclers and consultants who could meet this demand.
Within that programme is a capacity building scheme that will aim to ensure business support organisations like Business Link Yorkshire are able to provide companies with appropriate advice about resource efficiency.
Mike Smith, head of sustainable development for Yorkshire Forward, outlined the impact that he hoped the investment would have.
“Efficient use of resources like energy and raw materials can make a significant reduction in business outgoings at a time when companies are trying to combat the recent high growth in operating costs,” he explained.
“This investment by Yorkshire Forward and the European Union will mainstream the provision of resource efficiency advice and support through Business Link Yorkshire,” he added.
Register for free to comment