Challenge two

Building a business case

Build a robust
business case for decarbonisation projects

For local authorities, resources are a constant struggle. And when you have an obligation to protect children and the elderly, provide social care and support health services, it can be difficult to request funding for other projects.

So how do you build a business case for decarbonisation that encourages investment?

Highlight the benefits

In the long term, every outgoing on decarbonisation initiatives is an investment that will either pay dividends or result in a greener future – or both. And that should be at the forefront of your business case.

Your goal should be to present all the benefits of allocating budgets to carbon reduction projects – and there are many, including the societal benefits touched on earlier.

There are also significant financial incentives. You can experience big savings through reduced energy consumption and carbon offset funds. And technologies like solar panels can help you produce your own energy and reduce reliance on an unpredictable and expensive national grid.

In fact, Solar PV , which has improved significantly in recent years, now has payback cycles of as little of four to five years and can dramatically reduce energy costs and emissions.

That’s step one…

Showcase the alternative

You must also highlight the imminent need and the consequences of inaction. This is a climate emergency – and one that, if left unchecked, will have severe consequences for the health and wellbeing of every sector of society.

Put simply, doing nothing isn’t an option. Especially when there is a legal obligation to balance greenhouse emissions.

Your business case should include:

Recycling and opportunities for modernisation
Goals and KPIs
Assessments of solutions in line with those goals and KPIs
Metrics to show expected investments and returns
A plan that combines quick-win savings and long-term cost benefits
An overview of possible funding sources (see Challenge three)