Pioneering Project
University of the West of Scotland is leading a project to deliver support and training to enable organisations across South Ayrshire to meet the national Net Zero goals, and position South Ayrshire as a national leader in green working practices.
Thirty Participating organisations will access fully funded consultancy and training to support plans for decarbonisation and improved sustainability. These individuals will become ‘Carbon Champions’ and skilled auditors, able to recognise challenges and opportunities for improvement in their own organisations, and influence change.
The project is funded by the National Community Renewal Fund and is delivered by University of the West of Scotland, in partnership with South Ayrshire Council and with the support of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, Ayrshire College and Entrepreneurial Scotland.
The UK Community Renewal Fund is a UK Government programme for 2021/22. This aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-community-renewal-fund-prospectus
What’s included in the project?
The participating businesses will receive a support package with minimum value worth £15,000 including:
Service from expert environmental consultants
- A baseline audit to determine the organisations’ carbon footprint
- A one-to-one consultancy service
- A bespoke net-zero plan including implementation support
Training courses from UWS & Education Partners
A ten-week programme comprising:
- Climate change and sustainability, theory and principals
- International and national drivers to climate change
- Measure carbon footprint, factors, mechanisms and data gathering
- Standards and protocols
- Implementation, stage, process and practice
- Manage performance and improvements
- Policy and people
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Case studies
Networking and support
- Access to wider industry network support and resources
- Become a part of the national benchmark for green working practices
- A plaque to certify Carbon Champion Status
Who is eligible to take part?
- Participating organisations must have a registered business address in South Ayrshire
- Organisations from any sector, and of any size are invited to take part
- Participants must be available to undertake training and attend workshops between September 2022 and January 2023
Register your interest
If you’d like to become a part of the South Ayrshire Carbon Champions Network, and take the first steps to reduce your carbon footprint, please complete the following form.
South Ayrshire Carbon Champions Network form
We aim to respond to each inquiry within 5 working days.
Contact us
If you’d like to find out more about the Carbon Champions project, or if you have any questions about the project, please contact Project Lead, Luna Guo via email cpd@uws.ac.uk