Mapping the Big Green Challenge - The Skills & Learning ...

120 Chapter 7.7 – Low Carbon EnterprisesMuch of this analysis illustrates the difference between focussed projects, whether in the context ofa business model, a voluntary community effort or a grant funded ‘professional’ organisation such asan energy advice agency. In general there is more singularity, less openness, more product and lessbehavioural change, but there are plenty of exceptions to this general rule7.7.4 Examples to Illustrate Different ApproachesIt is very difficult to highlight different business models or funding models at this level sinceapplicants were not asked to comment on either directly at this stage (there is more information forthose that reached Round 2 of the Challenge). Indeed it requires a level of interpretation todetermine whether an enterprise model is actually intended in some cases and certainly to reachany conclusion about whether it was a viable one. For this reason we are not highlighting this aspectof these proposals. The link between this Proposal type and some of the Projects type has beenhighlighted. It may well be that some proposals would move (in both directions) across this divideover time depending on funding regimes and market factors.Instead we highlight some interesting examples that go further than most to integrate their socialand environmental goals within an enterprise model: One of the energy supply wind farm projects (Grass Roots Renewables, 355) intends to usethe commercial profit from the wind farm to promote other renewable-energy projects,biodiversity and community development, with the wider aim of developing sustainablerural communities. This project extends to peat land restoration, increasing woodlandcover, and promoting eco-tourism as a means of sustaining the area economically as well asenvironmentally. Three Green Valleys (390) has a similar model, using the profits from hydro electric power,generated by the fast flowing local rivers, to protect and restore upland peat bogs andvalley forests (carbon sinks, adding a second dimension to the carbon reduction), and toencourage market gardens and community growing schemes to provide local food. Used Cooking Oil Alliance (653), proposing the conversion of waste from prison kitchensinto transport biofuels, incorporates training courses and qualifications for its workforce inthe prisons, providing renewable fuel for the prison service and local community, andcontributing to offender training and resettlement needs.7.7.5 OverviewThe focus was on the way the proposal was intended to operate so the groups involve somecharities as well as formal social enterprises. All involved a product element and nearly half wereproduct only. They were more likely to be focused on single carbon reduction goals than theaverage. They included niche proposals focussed on energy supply and biofuels and more regimeones focused on recycling and food growing. As might be expected they had a clearer idea thanmost of how to spread their idea and often this involved a growth strategy. There was a tendencyfor proposals to be closed and not strongly networked but there were contrasting examples basedon vertical systemic ideas over the supply chain and some higher tech examples utilised technicalinput to the development of their ideas.Appleby Ltd July 2009