Celebrating the Successes of the Net Zero Horizons Project
As we wrap up the first year of the Net Zero Horizons Project, we reflect on the significant achievements and progress made towards creating a sustainable, low-carbon future for businesses on the Colomendy Industrial Estate. This ambitious initiative has empowered 40 local companies to understand their carbon footprints and implement effective carbon reduction strategies. Notably, through our comprehensive bid writing support, nine businesses successfully secured £343,457 in funding from the Prosperous Denbighshire Fund, enabling the installation of solar panels and other renewable energy solutions. This critical support has significantly reduced operational costs and carbon emissions, showcasing the tangible benefits of sustainability efforts in our community.
Key Highlights and Successes:
Comprehensive Carbon Footprint Analysis: Each participating business received tailored carbon footprint reports, allowing them to identify critical areas for improvement. The total carbon footprint of the companies assessed totalled 1492.54 tCO₂e, highlighting the crucial need for ongoing sustainability efforts.
Tailored Training and Development: Our bespoke training programmes provided over 200 individuals with essential knowledge and skills in sustainability practices. Focusing on practical applications enabled participants to manage their carbon emissions and implement sustainable workplace changes effectively.
Financial Support and Success: Through our collaboration with local funding initiatives, nine businesses secured £343,457 for renewable energy projects. This financial support has enabled them to install solar panels and implement other sustainable solutions, significantly reducing their operational carbon emissions. Additionally, we proudly announce that a local rugby club secured a £45,000 grant to enhance their facilities while promoting sustainability in sports.
Creating a Network of Carbon-Conscious Leaders: The project has encouraged a community of forward-thinking, carbon-conscious business leaders. By sharing best practices and promoting collaboration through networking events and online webinars, we have laid the groundwork for ongoing support and innovation in sustainability among local businesses.
Addressing the Green Skills Gap: We identified and addressed the critical need for upskilling in sustainability, highlighting the importance of developing a workforce capable of driving green initiatives. The project emphasised continuous learning and growth, paving the way for further training opportunities in the future.
Building Local Economic Resilience: The project has contributed to environmental sustainability and stimulated the local economy. We supported job creation and skill development within the community by prioritising local suppliers for renewable energy installations.
Cost and Carbon Savings: The Net Zero Horizons Project has facilitated a transition to sustainable practices and resulted in significant cost and carbon savings for participating businesses. The estimated savings and carbon reduction achieved through the project are as follows:
Estimated Savings:
Over 1 Year: £49,656
Over 5 Years: £248,283
Carbon Reduction:
Over 1 Year: 147.43 tCO₂e
Over 5 Years: 737.17 tCO₂e
These figures highlight the financial and environmental benefits of investing in renewable energy solutions and sustainable practices. By reducing carbon emissions through the switch to renewable energy, businesses contribute to the fight against climate change while realising tangible savings that can be reinvested into their operations.
Notably, the impact of our training programmes, which focus on driving low-carbon behaviours, is expected to lead to further reductions in carbon emissions in the years to come.
Added Value
In addition to the original objectives of the [project, several added-value initiatives were introduced to enhance its overall impact. A notable achievement was creating an additional course focused on the new Welsh recycling laws to help businesses better manage their waste and improve sustainability practices.
The project also provided work experience opportunities for three individuals, contributing to skill development and supporting local employment. Moreover, by facilitating the installation of renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, at heavily discounted rates, the project helped drive money into the local economy. This reduced carbon emissions and stimulated local businesses to supply and install these technologies, with all work going to local suppliers.
A key element of added value was the bid-writing support provided to businesses. This support enabled them to access funding opportunities they were previously unaware of, such as the Prosperous Denbighshire Fund. This support played a significant role in helping businesses secure funding for renewable energy projects, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Looking Ahead:
As we conclude the Net Zero Horizons Project, we recognise that the journey toward sustainability is far from over. There is still much work to be done, and we are committed to supporting local businesses to achieve net-zero operations. We aim to expand our initiatives, develop a specialist multi-year leadership programme, and secure further funding to ensure businesses have the necessary resources and knowledge to succeed. Ongoing funding is critical to sustain our momentum and help even more companies embark on their sustainability journeys.
We have successfully established an effective replicable model that empowers small businesses to align with Government Net Zero targets and cultivate a network of environmentally conscious leaders—a challenging but rewarding endeavour. We aim to secure additional funding to expand our services to businesses in Colomendy, ensuring they can progress towards net zero while also allowing us to extend this impactful project to other industrial areas across Wales and the UK.
We want to thank all the businesses participating in the Net Zero Horizons Project for their commitment to sustainability and making a tangible difference in our community.
Dathlu Llwyddiannau Prosiect ‘Net Zero Horizons’
Wrth i flwyddyn gyntaf Prosiect Gorwelion Sero Net (‘Net Zero Horizons’) ddod i ben, rydym yn myfyrio ar y llwyddiannau sylweddol a’r cynnydd a wnaed tuag at greu dyfodol cynaliadwy, carbon isel i fusnesau ar Ystâd Ddiwydiannol Colomendy. Mae’r fenter uchelgeisiol hon wedi grymuso 40 o gwmnïau lleol i ddeall eu hôl troed carbon a rhoi strategaethau lleihau carbon effeithiol ar waith. Yn nodedig, trwy ein cymorth ysgrifennu cynigion cynhwysfawr, llwyddodd naw busnes i sicrhau £343,457 mewn cyllid o Gronfa Sir Ddinbych Ffyniannus, gan alluogi gosod paneli solar ac atebion ynni adnewyddadwy eraill. Mae’r cymorth hollbwysig hwn wedi lleihau costau gweithredu ac allyriadau carbon yn sylweddol, gan ddangos manteision diriaethol ymdrechion cynaliadwyedd yn ein cymuned.
Uchafbwyntiau a Llwyddiannau Allweddol:
1.Dadansoddiad Ôl Troed Carbon Cynhwysfawr: Derbyniodd pob busnes a gymerodd ran adroddiadau ôl-troed carbon wedi'u teilwra, gan eu galluogi i nodi meysydd allweddol i'w gwella. Cyfanswm ôl troed carbon y cwmnïau a aseswyd oedd 1492.54 tCO₂e, gan amlygu'r angen hanfodol am ymdrechion cynaliadwyedd parhaus.
2. Hyfforddiant a Datblygiad wedi'u Teilwra: Darparodd ein rhaglenni hyfforddi pwrpasol i dros 200 o unigolion wybodaeth a sgiliau hanfodol mewn arferion cynaliadwyedd. Roedd canolbwyntio ar gymwysiadau ymarferol yn galluogi cyfranogwyr i reoli eu hallyriadau carbon a rhoi newidiadau cynaliadwy yn y gweithle ar waith yn effeithiol.
3.Cymorth Ariannol a Llwyddiant: Trwy ein cydweithrediad â mentrau ariannu lleol, sicrhaodd naw busnes £343,457 ar gyfer prosiectau ynni adnewyddadwy. Mae'r cymorth ariannol hwn wedi eu galluogi i osod paneli solar a gweithredu atebion cynaliadwy eraill, gan leihau eu hallyriadau carbon gweithredol yn sylweddol. Yn ogystal, rydym yn falch o gyhoeddi bod clwb rygbi lleol wedi sicrhau grant o £45,000 i wella eu cyfleusterau wrth hyrwyddo cynaliadwyedd mewn chwaraeon.
4. Creu Rhwydwaith o Arweinwyr sy'n Ymwybodol o Garbon: Mae'r prosiect wedi annog cymuned o arweinwyr busnes blaengar, sy'n ymwybodol o garbon. Drwy rannu arferion gorau a hyrwyddo cydweithio drwy ddigwyddiadau rhwydweithio a gweminarau ar-lein, rydym wedi gosod y sylfaen ar gyfer cymorth parhaus ac arloesi ym maes cynaliadwyedd ymhlith busnesau lleol.
5. Mynd i'r Afael â'r Bwlch Sgiliau Gwyrdd: Fe wnaethom nodi a mynd i'r afael â'r angen hanfodol am uwchsgilio mewn cynaliadwyedd, gan amlygu pwysigrwydd datblygu gweithlu sy'n gallu ysgogi mentrau gwyrdd. Roedd y prosiect yn pwysleisio dysgu a thwf parhaus, gan baratoi'r ffordd ar gyfer cyfleoedd hyfforddi pellach yn y dyfodol.
6. Adeiladu Gwydnwch Economaidd Lleol: Mae'r prosiect wedi cyfrannu at gynaliadwyedd amgylcheddol ac wedi ysgogi'r economi leol. Fe wnaethom gefnogi creu swyddi a datblygu sgiliau yn y gymuned trwy flaenoriaethu cyflenwyr lleol ar gyfer gosodiadau ynni adnewyddadwy.
7. Cost ac Arbedion Carbon: Mae'r Prosiect Gorwelion Sero Net (‘Net Zero Horizons) wedi hwyluso newid i arferion cynaliadwy ac wedi arwain at arbedion cost a charbon sylweddol i'r busnesau sy'n cymryd rhan. Mae’r arbedion amcangyfrifed a’r gostyngiadau carbon a gyflawnwyd drwy’r prosiect fel a ganlyn:
● Arbedion Amcangyfrif:
○ Dros 1 flwyddyn: £49,656
○ Dros 5 mlynedd: £248,283
● Lleihau Carbon:
○ Dros 1 flwyddyn: 147.43 tCO₂e
○ Dros 5 mlynedd: 737.17 tCO₂e
Mae'r ffigurau hyn yn amlygu manteision ariannol ac amgylcheddol buddsoddi mewn atebion ynni adnewyddadwy ac arferion cynaliadwy. Drwy leihau allyriadau carbon drwy newid i ynni adnewyddadwy, mae busnesau’n cyfrannu at y frwydr yn erbyn newid yn yr hinsawdd wrth wireddu arbedion diriaethol y gellir eu hail-fuddsoddi yn eu gweithrediadau.
Yn nodedig, disgwylir i effaith ein rhaglenni hyfforddi, sy’n canolbwyntio ar ysgogi ymddygiadau carbon isel, arwain at ostyngiadau pellach mewn allyriadau carbon yn y blynyddoedd i ddod.
Gwerth Ychwanegol
Yn ogystal ag amcanion gwreiddiol y prosiect, cyflwynwyd nifer o fentrau gwerth ychwanegol i wella ei effaith gyffredinol. Llwyddiant nodedig oedd creu cwrs ychwanegol yn canolbwyntio ar y deddfau ailgylchu Cymreig newydd i helpu busnesau i reoli eu gwastraff yn well a gwella arferion cynaliadwyedd.
Darparodd y prosiect hefyd gyfleoedd profiad gwaith i dri unigolyn, gan gyfrannu at ddatblygu sgiliau a chefnogi cyflogaeth leol. Ar ben hynny, trwy hwyluso gosod systemau ynni adnewyddadwy, megis paneli solar, ar gyfraddau gostyngol iawn, helpodd y prosiect i yrru arian i mewn i'r economi leol. Roedd hyn yn lleihau allyriadau carbon ac yn ysgogi busnesau lleol i gyflenwi a gosod y technolegau hyn, gyda’r holl waith yn mynd i gyflenwyr lleol.
Elfen allweddol o werth ychwanegol oedd y cymorth ysgrifennu cynigion a ddarparwyd i fusnesau. Roedd y cymorth hwn yn eu galluogi i gael mynediad at gyfleoedd ariannu nad oeddent yn ymwybodol ohonynt yn flaenorol, megis Cronfa Sir Ddinbych Ffyniannus. Chwaraeodd y cymorth hwn ran sylweddol wrth helpu busnesau i sicrhau cyllid ar gyfer prosiectau ynni adnewyddadwy, gan leihau costau gweithredu ac effaith amgylcheddol.
Edrych Ymlaen:
Wrth i’r Prosiect Gorwelion Sero Net (Net Zero Horizons) ddod i ben, rydym yn cydnabod bod y daith tuag at gynaliadwyedd ymhell o fod ar ben. Mae llawer o waith i’w wneud o hyd, ac rydym wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi busnesau lleol i gyflawni gweithrediadau sero-net. Ein nod yw ehangu ein mentrau, datblygu rhaglen arweinyddiaeth aml-flwyddyn arbenigol, a sicrhau cyllid pellach i sicrhau bod gan fusnesau'r adnoddau a'r wybodaeth angenrheidiol i lwyddo. Mae cyllid parhaus yn hanfodol i gynnal ein momentwm a helpu hyd yn oed mwy o gwmnïau i gychwyn ar eu teithiau cynaliadwyedd.
Rydym wedi llwyddo i sefydlu model ailadrodd effeithiol sy’n grymuso busnesau bach i alinio â thargedau Sero Net y Llywodraeth a meithrin rhwydwaith o arweinwyr sy’n ymwybodol o’r amgylchedd— ymdrech heriol ond gwerth chweil. Ein nod yw sicrhau cyllid ychwanegol i ehangu ein gwasanaethau i fusnesau yng Ngholomendy, gan sicrhau y gallant symud ymlaen tuag at sero net tra hefyd yn ein galluogi i ymestyn y prosiect dylanwadol hwn i ardaloedd diwydiannol eraill ledled Cymru a’r DU.
.Rydym eisiau diolch i’r holl fusnesau sy’n cymryd rhan yn y Prosiect Gorwelion Sero Net (Net Zero Horizons) am eu hymrwymiad i gynaliadwyedd a gwneud gwahaniaeth diriaethol yn ein cymuned.
