NEW research, commissioned by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s Net Zero Commitment found that food and drink businesses in some regions of Scotland have more access than others to funding for sustainability initiatives.
The research found that out of 22 grant opportunities available for businesses in the sector, 59% (13) were provided by local councils. Some of Scotland’s largest local authorities had current specific grant funding for food and drink industries to support sustainability initiatives[1].
Of the local authority grants, two thirds (69%) are capped at or below £10,000, where technologies like industrial air source heat pumps can cost multiple times that amount. Most grants were restricted to capital expenditure or ‘green asset’ projects like low carbon heating, insulation, LED lighting and similar technologies. Many grants will cover up to 70%…
