Region Set for Resource Efficient Future
24/07/2008
An investment of almost £10 million from Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund will help regional businesses to improve competitiveness by adopting more efficient use of resources over the next three years.
Over the next three years Resource Efficiency Yorkshire, REY, will deliver the programme of work with support from regional and national partners. It will enable regional businesses to realise the financial and competitive benefits of improved resource efficiency.
Andrew Hartley, programme director of REY said: “This funding will help the region’s businesses capitalise on cost reduction opportunities and growing environmental markets. Improving resource efficiency presents businesses with opportunities to win new contracts, increase profits and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
“REY is the first organisation of its type in the country. We foresee a future where we ‘decouple’ economic growth from excessive resource use. And see the creation of new businesses and jobs, plus investment in new generation environmental businesses that help organisations across the globe to ‘green’ their operations, as the key to success.
The REY programme will deliver a capacity building scheme to ensure that all business support organisations, particularly Business Link Yorkshire, have the knowledge and skills needed to provide any business with appropriate resource efficiency advice.
Andrew Hartley concluded, “Now is a great time for all stakeholders to influence the way in which REY develops. There are many opportunities for partners and consultants to respond to tenders and for people to join the REY team. Anyone keen to get involved with REY should contact me via our website www.resourceefficiency-yorkshire.org.uk.”
Information on calls for projects, tender opportunities and job/ secondment/ placement opportunities can be found on the REY web site
