Lancashire businesses, the local economy and the global environment are set to benefit from a programme that helps small and medium-sized companies identify, develop and implement innovations to help reduce their carbon footprint.

The final six-month Low Carbon Innovation Forum starts in September, assisting businesses in re-evaluating their processes, identifying opportunities to increase product lifecycles, and improving competitiveness with the overarching aim of adopting a sustainable low carbon strategy.

The Forum works with companies across different sectors, with Lancaster University academic researchers helping to put the low carbon agenda at the forefront of planning and aiding business growth while increasing efficiency.

Angela Moore, Low Carbon Innovation Forum Programme Manager at Lancaster University Management School, said: "The six-month programme provides an opportunity for local SMEs to truly understand what eco-innovation is, and how it can benefit their business. It presents them with the tools to plan future business objectives that are sustainable and fit for the environmental challenges we all face.

“We have seen some wonderful developments as a result of the Forum, often from the collaborations and partnerships that arise from working alongside fellow business owners, and we are sure that can continue to be the case with our final group of businesses. This is a great chance for businesses to show commitment both to innovation and to a better environment.”

The Low Carbon Innovation Forum includes monthly workshops delivered by academics and business experts, an eco-innovation challenge as part of a company visit to stimulate ideas and discussion and gain access to LUMS Masterclasses

The Forum is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and has helped 44 small and medium-sized businesses to innovate, develop and grow since its launch in 2017.

Among those companies is Stephensons Dairy, from Morecambe, with Managing Director Steph Stephenson, who took part in the first Low Carbon Innovation Forum, saying it has had a positive impact on her business and on the environment.

“I was hesitant at first because I assumed – wrongly – that a lot of the things we’d talk about would be outside our reach,” she said. “But actually the great thing is that the Forum has shown me nothing is outside your reach, and that everything you do, no matter how small, has a positive impact.”

Martin Leeming, CEO at Trakrap, who was part of the most recent Low Carbon Innovation Forum, said: “The Forum will allow you to formulate strategies for your business that are industry leading in dealing with the real sustainable and environmental issues that face your business now and in the future.

“Being part of a widely diverse team on the Forum has been invaluable to me, both in challenging my thoughts and ideas, all the way through to bringing a fresh pair of eyes to my problems and exploring suggestions that you just haven’t thought of before.”

The Low Carbon Innovation Forum is open to senior decision-makers from Lancashire SMEs and businesses eligible to receive support through the ERDF. To enquire about a place on the programme, call Jane Hunter on 01524 593683, or email lowcarboninnovation@lancaster.ac.uk. For more information, visit lancaster.ac.uk/lums/lowcarboninnovation