Sarah Slater
Waterford City and County Council has pledged to continue with a nine per cent rates discount for businesses if they become cleaner and greener.
As part of the council’s roadmap to delivering a carbon-neutral Waterford by 2040, the local authority is introducing its business pledge for A Cleaner, Greener Waterford on Monday.
The scheme, formerly known as the Commercial Energy Discount Scheme, was launched in 2022 and has supported thousands of businesses across the city and county in transitioning to carbon neutrality.
Businesses are invited to take the Business Pledge to strive towards a cleaner, greener Waterford, and commit to completing at least two actions in the next 12 months that would reduce the carbon footprint of their business. Businesses who make the pledge will be able to avail of a nine per cent discount on their rates, providing their rates have been paid in full.
The council is working towards meeting its own climate goals and the Business Pledge is an opportunity for Waterford businesses to play their part and be rewarded in their efforts to make Waterford a sustainable place to do business.
Last year, 800 businesses took advantage of the scheme by identifying opportunities for reducing energy usage and costs, exploring the potential of renewable energy while availing of a discount on their commercial rates.
Climate Action Coordinator with Waterford City and County Council, Gráinne Kennedy said the local authority is currently the only local authority delivering such an initiative in Ireland, and by working with local businesses “we can collectively make Waterford the most sustainable place in Ireland to do business”.
Ms Kennedy continued: “We have reached out to local ambassadors who are making day-to-day changes that will have a positive, far-reaching impact on the environment, on their costs and on the future.”
Dooley’s Hotel in Waterford City is making changes in how the family-run hotel uses ingredients, serves food and operates its in-house laundry service, to become more energy efficient and reduce waste.
While Cantec Group’s efforts in reusing packaging and pallets, upgrading its vehicle fleet to EVs, and supplying clients with re-manufactured machines with an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions very much align with the objectives of the Business Pledge.
Ms Kennedy added: “By being more aware of energy saving opportunities and exploring renewable energy options, businesses can not only save money, but they can affect real change by adopting a sustainability strategy and reducing carbon emissions. Collectively, these changes have the potential to achieve a positive impact for businesses across Waterford.”
The scheme is open to businesses whose annual rate bill is less than €10,000 or who operate in the hospitality and leisure industries. These businesses will be eligible to receive a rates energy discount of nine percent once they have provided details of the actions they will take to become more sustainable in the coming year.
Submissions open tomorrow and to avail of the rates discount, accounts must also be fully paid by 23:55pm on October 18, this year or are in an agreed direct debit payment plan. The credit will be applied after the deadline once the requirements have been met.
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