08 Sep North Northamptonshire Council – Supporting Cleaner Growth

North Northamptonshire Council have launched a new initiative to help local businesses and community groups understand and reduce their energy use and environmental impact.

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the programme will support organisations to design their own decarbonisation plans and, access grants that will help them shift to more sustainable practices and save money.

North Northamptonshire Council has appointed Urban Foresight, a strategic innovation consultancy, to deliver the programme. Urban Foresight brings extensive experience in supporting cleaner growth and environmental responsibility across the UK and Ireland. This collaboration with North Northamptonshire Council, developed in partnership with SmartCarbon is enabling a more targeted and cost-effective programme delivery.

Urban Foresight are also currently working with North Northamptonshire Council to develop the Local Area Energy Plan, providing valuable insights into local priorities.

What the programme offers

Thanks to UKSPF funding, participating organisations will receive free access to a user-friendly platform to measure their carbon footprint and develop a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP).

The programme aims to support:

• 50 businesses and 25 community groups to complete carbon footprint assessments
• 20 businesses and 15 community groups to progress to CRPs aligned with the latest public procurement requirements, enhancing their ability to compete for public sector contracts and providing a pathway to net zero

A structured series of workshops will also be delivered to build capacity and ensure that CRPs are not only developed but are also actionable.

Building on existing success

This programme builds on the success of the NN2NZ Boost 4 Business initiative and complements the Council’s wider environmental and economic development work. It also provides continuity for organisations seeking support beyond the current rounds of the Rural Business Grant Scheme and Business Growth Grant Scheme, which closed in June 2025.

This funding is about giving local businesses the tools, knowledge and confidence to take action and deliver wider benefits.

“As a council, we are committed to using funding sources available to us to helping businesses grow and diversify. This programme will enable them to become more efficient, competitive and resilient, building on other schemes across the council and making sure North Northamptonshire is a great place to live, work and invest.”

Cllr Jan O’Hara, the council’s Executive Member for Planning and Economic Growth

“With more and more businesses looking at carbon reduction measures, it is important that we use the funds available to us to support them.”

“Schemes like this encourage businesses to look to the future, think about their carbon footprint and complements wider environmental work in North Northants.” Cllr Ken Harrington, the council’s Executive member for Assets, Waste and Environmental Services

Further support will be available through the upcoming Powering Change Grant Scheme, due to launch in September 2025, and additional community grants.