79. Evaluation of the Low Carbon Business Support Programme for Sheffield City Council
Kada Research were commissioned to evaluate the Low Carbon Business Support Programme led by Sheffield City Council and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The aim of the Low Carbon Business Support Programme was to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in SMEs in South Yorkshire. It provided support to help identify, fund, and implement energy efficiency improvements for SMEs and help reduce the barriers to decreasing their energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Through the provision of an audit, which provided recommendations for low carbon improvements, and matched financial support, the programme: increased awareness and understanding of the benefits of and options for improving energy efficiency amongst SMEs; increased uptake of energy efficiency initiatives amongst SMEs and reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption. Additionally, the project evaluation anticipated the potential for the project to reduce outgoings for SMEs, improving competitiveness, resilience and productivity.
The summative assessment process aimed to provide an evidence-based evaluation of the Low Carbon Business Support Programme, assessing the project against its objectives and highlighting any lessons learnt for the future. In terms of our approach, a desk review was undertaken assessing the original rationale for the project and how it fit with local, sub-regional and national policy strategies. Performance against ERDF targets and the economic impact of the programme were considered: a robust quantitative impact evaluation of project performance was undertaken including a review of contracted expenditure, outputs, wider employment and GVA gross and net impacts. A value-for-money assessment was also undertaken.
Project beneficiaries were engaged via an online survey to assess the overall impact on businesses. Kada’s researchers also spoke to key stakeholders and delivery partners to assess the effectiveness of the process of delivery, including management, administrative, and delivery mechanisms, as well as operational characteristics. Strengths, value added, challenges and lessons were summarised in the evaluation report.
Businesses providing feedback via the online survey were highly satisfied with the quality of the support they received. Grant recipients found their investments into energy efficiency technologies helped them decrease their energy usage.
Through interviews with the delivery partners and beneficiary feedback, Kada found that the Low Carbon Advisors understood commercial pressures facing businesses. The advisors shaped programme delivery around a clear understanding of the operational difficulties facing businesses. They also helped businesses to improve their understanding of potential energy and carbon savings and supported engagement with the audit reports. Beneficiaries valued the advisors’ use of business terminology to build cost and energy saving understanding.
Bridget Bradbury-Hickey, Project Manager stated:
“Decarbonising SMEs and promoting energy efficiency is these businesses is essential for the UK to meet net zero commitments. The Low Carbon Business Support Programme has a number of long-lasting impacts; SMEs engaged have an increased awareness of energy reduction measures, the effectiveness of different measures and the associated payback periods, helping them make commercial decisions in years to come, and supporting business resilience and productivity in South Yorkshire.”
If you are thinking about commissioning an evaluation study or if you would like to talk through an idea or hear about this work, you can contact us at info@kadaresearch.co.uk
