Where to find green small business grants
Business Economic Syndicated News 
By Anna Jordan on Small Business UK - Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
Many entrepreneurs are looking to eco small business grants to help them fund environmental projects, adopt green technologies and become more sustainable.
Funding comes under the following categories and are often distributed by local authorities:
- Renewable energy business grants
- Sustainability grants
- Energy efficiency grants
- Sustainable innovation
- Green jobs
The green business grants below have been divided according to where they are in the UK and contain a link to the application page which will give you more information.
UK-wide
Amazon Sustainability Accelerator Climate Tech 2026
Start-ups and scale-ups with proven sustainability technology can pitch for commercial pilots within Amazon’s European operations (including the UK). Selected applicants participate in an eight-week programme that culminates in a pitch to launch a fully funded pilot within Amazon Operations.
Amazon are seeking applications from companies at Technology Readiness Level 8 or higher.
If successful, companies selected for piloting work alongside internal Amazon teams will have their proposal refined and finalised with scope, timeline, and key performance indicators. Pilot budgets can range from $50K–$2M, depending on duration and scope, at Amazon’s sole discretion.
Learn more about the programme here.
Workplace Charging Scheme
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints.
It is available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, but not in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £500 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site
After applying using the online application form, successful applicants are issued with a unique identification voucher code by email, which can then be given to an OZEV-authorised commercial chargepoint installer.
Applications close on 31 March 2027.
The Eco Providers UK – Heating and Insulation Grants
Grants are available for private and social landlords to support retrofit property improvements to reduce carbon emissions across housing stock.
The aim of this fund is to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions from social and private housing via the provision of full retrofitting services or direct funding to help landlords reduce capital expenditure on eco-friendly housing improvements.
Eligible costs include:
- Internal wall, Room in Roof and under floor insulation installation
- Central heating and electric storage heater installation
- Solar PV
- Air source heat pumps
England
Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG)
Receive a maximum of £30,500 per project for creating a woodland.
Business Energy Advice Service (BEAS)
*No longer accepting applications but you can still register your interest.*
BEAS provides SMEs with free energy assessments and and 50% match-funded grants up to £100,000. There is no payback required on the grants.
Regions running BEAS are those within the West Midlands Combined Authority area, and the immediate surrounding counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and The Marches (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin).
Businesses interested in registering for BEAS must use at least 25,000 kWh of energy annually. To assist with this, they provide a Energy Usage Calculator to help companies estimate their energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for both electricity and gas.
The grant can be used to fund a variety of business activities, including, but not limited to:
- Solar panels
- Improved Refrigeration
- Building Insulation
- Water management
- Recycling & Waste (compactors, balers and crushers)
- Ventilation (fans, distribution, destratification fans)
- Heating (replacement boilers, burners, heat pumps)
- Energy-efficient lighting (LED, controls, sensors)
Conservation grant scheme, Howardian Hills
There are now two grant schemes available under the Howardian Hills umbrella.
This one is a Yorkshire-based grant for community infrastructure projects and countryside conservation work in the Howardian Hills Area of Natural Beauty (AONB).
Assistance normally sits in the 30-75 per cent range but with this scheme you may be funded 100 per cent of your project.
The Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme supports farmers and land managers along with people who work and live in these areas. The scheme will run until March 2025. The support is for farmers and land managers who are carrying out projects to mitigate climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage or support nature-friendly and sustainable farm shop businesses.
The programme will fund a portion of your costs – the amount will depend on how much the project will benefit your business. Your project must end by March 2025.
Nottingham City Council Business Decarbonisation Grant
*Applications closed.*
The objective of this grant is to support retail businesses in eligible areas of Nottingham to reduce their energy related costs whilst also seeking to reduce the city’s carbon emissions.
The maximum grant per business is £10,000 and the minimum grant per business is £1,000. The grant will support up to 50 per cent of the costs of installing carbon reduction measures.
Funding for Farmers, Growers and Land Managers
This is a page detailing several grants and funding opportunities for farmers and land managers.
Pig, beef and dairy farmers whose farming systems produce slurry are able to apply for a grant which will allow them to build new slurry stores, replace slurry stores and expand existing slurry stores. You can apply for a grant from £25,000.
You can also apply for money to improve tree health and for grants from the Farming and Innovation Programme.
Click on the link above to find out more about this grant and others for farmers and land managers.
Green Port Hull
Green Port Hull aims to be the UK’s world class centre for renewable energy, particularly for the offshore wind industry
There is support on offer for companies wanting to grow or establish their business in the area, including.
- Finance for Growth
- ICT for Growth
- Business Growth Scheme
- Hull Business Energy Efficiency Scheme (grant funding of up to £10,000 available)
- Electric Vehicle Chargepoints (as part of the UK Workplace Charging Scheme)
Brum Breathes Taxi Grants
As the owner of a Birmingham licensed hackney carriage, you may be eligible for a financial incentive to help you meet air pollution compliance standards. Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects like retrofitting to clean vehicle standards or a contribution towards the operating expenses of a Birmingham licensed electric or ULEV HC.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
With this scheme, you can get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
You can get one grant per property. Current grants are available for:
- £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
- £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler
You’re eligible if:
- Own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home or a property you rent out to tenants)
- Be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)
You’re still eligible if you’ve already had funding to make your property more energy efficient, for example by insulating it.
Workplace Travel Service Nottingham: Grants
Benefit from up to £25,000 financial support to help meet the costs of workplace travel improvements such as electric vehicle charge points, cycle parking, showers, pool bikes, car sharing and car parking management.
You’re eligible if your business is inside the Nottingham City boundary. Take a look on the webpage for what the grant will and won’t support.
Green Heat Network Fund
The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a three-year £288m capital grant fund that will support:
- The commercialisation and construction of new low and zero carbon (LZC) heat networks (including the supply of cooling)
- The retrofitting and expansion of existing heat networks
There will be a series of quarterly application rounds until the scheme closes. Individuals, households and sole traders cannot apply.
*Applications must be submitted by 25 September 2026.*
Scotland
NESTRANS Community Sustainable Travel Grant Scheme
*Applications currently closed.*
This grant scheme was launched in 2021. NESTRANS supports development of sustainable travel plans in Aberdeen City and Shire. Applicants can bid for up to £5,000 in matched funding and they are expected to demonstrate commitment by a contribution (or contribution in kind such as volunteer hours or resources) to the project.
Forestry Grant Scheme
This scheme is focused on providing financial support for businesses involved in the creation of either new woodland spaces or the sustainable management of existing woodlands. It is managed by the Scottish Rural Payments and Services agency and Scottish Forestry.
Low Emission Zone Support Fund for businesses
*Applications currently closed although you can still register your interest.*
Energy Saving Trust is offering micro businesses and sole traders, with an operating site within 20km of Scotland’s low emission zones, a grant towards the safe disposal of non-compliant vehicles.
The fund is currently closed to new applications but you can still register your interest and ESt will contact you when it reopens.
Green Business Grant
The Glasgow City Council Green Business Grant will help businesses in Glasgow address both the cost of living and climate crises through measures such as energy efficiency, renewables, active travel and waste management.
The Green Business Grant is a non-repayable grant of up to £10,000, which will cover up to 50 per cent of the total cost of a project. Projects can include anything that helps businesses reduce their energy bills and make progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.
To be eligible for the grant, your business must:
- Be a small or medium-sized enterprise (as defined in the Companies Act 2006)
- Have been trading for at least six months
- Own its own premises in Glasgow or have written permission from your landlord to make changes to the premises and seek planning permissions from Glasgow City Council Planning Division to implement the works detailed in your application
- Have a Glasgow postcode and pay non-domestic rates in Glasgow
- Be headquartered in Glasgow
Premises of an organisation based outside Glasgow will not be considered. Businesses whose main base is within the city boundary cannot use the grant to improve premises or create jobs outside Glasgow.
Businesses that are owned by another business with more than a 25 per cent stake are not eligible.
The grant will cover up to 50 per cent of the total cost of a project, to a maximum of £10,000. Businesses must be prepared to cover the rest of the cost from other sources.
Green Capital Development Grant
*Applications currently closed although you can still register your interest.*
Through the Green Capital Development Grant, Perth and Kinross Council has made funding of up to £25,000 available for businesses that wish to invest in capital projects to implement new systems, ways of working, machinery, and green technology.
This grants can go up to £25,000 to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs. Projects must involve a minimum spend of £10,000, which means that businesses must match the funding with at least £5,000.
The grant will not be awarded upfront immediately after approval – instead, you will receive payment after you make your purchases and submit receipts or invoices. This means that initially you must be able to afford the project’s full cost until you are refunded.
IBioIC Innovation Support
IBioIC has various funding programmes to help you progress your R&D, find collaborators and build your business.
Midlothian Council LACER
*Currently closed for applications.*
The Midlothian Council LACER Fund provides grants to businesses to support green projects, social enterprises to support start up and growth and aims to develop a network of local business associations to encourage collaboration.
Available funds are:
Social Enterprise Fund
Grants of up to £4,000 are available to support the development of locally based social enterprises, helping them to start up and grow.
Business Association Fund
A £1,500 grant is available to help businesses come together to deliver local projects collaboratively as part of a Business Association.
The LACER funds are available for Midlothian based businesses only. To find out more about the funds and how to apply, email bg@midlothian.gov.uk
West Lothian Low Carbon Energy Efficiency Grant
The Low Carbon/Energy Efficiency Grant is a grant of up to £8,000 for West Lothian businesses that are looking to:
- Assist business to overcome barriers in achieving emission reduction
- Help businesses implement new business processes that evidence a clear link to emissions reductions
- Implement strategic changes identified from consultancy support
- Support business to promote their ‘green credentials’
- Facilitate business pivoting into a new market within the net zero landscape
Your business must also:
- Business must employ minimum five staff
- Have been trading for one year
- Has growth potential over three years
- Business must have taken steps to or have already completed a carbon footprint calculation
- Ideally the fund will support changes to reduce emissions identified within scope 3 of the Green House Gas protocol
Wales
Small Grants – Woodland Creation Scheme
Small Grants – Woodland Creation is a scheme aimed at farmers and other land managers to encourage planting of small areas of trees on land which is agriculturally improved or low environmental value in Wales.
Funding is available for tree planting to create shelterwoods, alongside watercourses, and in field corners or small fields for stock shelter, biodiversity and woodfuel. Small Grants – Woodland Creation also offers 12 years of payments for Maintenance and Premium payment in respect of the new planting.
All of the elements are laid out in a series of digital booklets. here.
Carmarthenshire Business Renewable Energy Fund
*Applications open until 31 August 2026.*
The fund will provide capital support to businesses towards the purchase of renewable energy systems for their business premises. Grants available are between £1,000 and £30,000 towards the cost of the renewable energy system, which will make up no more than 50 per cent of eligible costs.
Your business must either:
- Own the freehold, or
- Hold a lease with a seven-year minimum period remaining after the final grant payment date. You will need to secure your landlord’s written consent for the proposed works.
The business premises must be registered on Carmarthenshire County Council’s Non-Domestic Rates register. All expenditure associated to the grant must be completed within four months of the date of approval letter. Applicants will be treated on a first come, first served basis until the allocated fund has been used up.
The Sustainable Development Fund, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB
The Sustainability Development Fund offers project grants, management grants to support staff costs or development grants to act as a catalyst for new action or partnerships.
It normally provides 50 per cent of total project costs but up to 75 per cent is available for eligible voluntary sector projects. Applicants are expected to contribute at least 25 per cent of total project costs either from their own reserves or from other sources such as European funds, National Lottery funding or ‘in kind’ contributions.
The private sector and individuals can apply, but the project has to be in the wider public interest to be eligible.
The fund supports projects which will:
- Conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB, including the built environment
- Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development
- Promote the economic and social well-being of local communities
- Promote quiet enjoyment of the AONB
Priority is given to projects which:
- Involve local communities and young people
- Lever in contributions from other sources in cash or in kind
- Overcome barriers to sustainability and promote a wider understanding of sustainability
- Promote sustainable forms of social and economic development or add value to existing sustainability projects
- Raise awareness of the AONB and generate jobs or income for communities, without damaging the landscape
- Demonstrate innovation or best practice
Contact Ceri Lloyd at Loggerheads Country Park on 01824 712757 for more information.
Community Innovation Denbighshire
Led by Cadwyn Clwyd and Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), the £600,000 Community Innovation Denbighshire project will focus on encouraging micro firms, community groups and social enterprises in rural and urban areas to put forward proposals that will deliver regional and environmental benefits.
Supported by Denbighshire County Council and part-funded by the UK Government through the £220m UK Community Renewal Fund, support is available for 25 organisations or individuals who can apply for a £5,000 grant they will match-fund to trial new products, systems and services.
Business Wales will also be on hand with guidance and advice throughout the process.
For more information, email admin@cadwynclwyd.co.uk or call 01490 340500.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
This is the same as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but it’s available in Wales as well as England. With this scheme, you can get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
You’re eligible if:
- Own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home or a property you rent out to tenants)
- Be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)
You’re still eligible if you’ve already had funding to make your property more energy efficient, for example by insulating it.
Northern Ireland
DAERA grants and funding
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is a government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. This page lists environmental grants along with other business support.
If you can’t find any suitable eco business grants in the list above, take a look at the government’s finance and business support round-up or your local authority’s website. Just be aware that some of the grants listed on the government’s website have expired. Finally, support may be available in other forms for green improvements you want to make – this could be advice, mentoring, energy assessments or something else entirely.
Bank loans for small businesses
Many major UK banks offer green financing options for renewable projects or low carbon assets, often giving discounts on the financing. Below is a shortlist of some UK banks, although if your bank isn’t it may be worth getting in touch with them.
Terms and conditions apply.
Read more
150 UK small business grants to apply for right now
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