There are many types of environmental industries emerging in Bristol - a city where people value their quality of life.  Green spaces are important and there are City Farms in St Werburgh's and Windmill Hill.  The National Federation of City Farms is headquartered here.  These pages highlight the strengths of the sector, whilst indicating where new and existing businesses can go for help, support, training and networking events. 

For FREE help to save your business money call the Environment and Energy Helpline on 0800 585 794.  Helpline staff will answer your question straight away or arrange for a specialist to ring you back on a range of issues including environmental legislation, clean technologies, waste minimisation and energy efficiency.

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) enable a business to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on their spending on qualifying plant and machinery.  These relate to capital investments in energy efficiency, low emission vehicles and water saving measures.  Full details on the ECA website or via the above Helpline.

Bristol's CREATE Centre on Smeaton Road houses a number of environmental organisations, including the City Council's Sustainable Development Teams with expertise in air and water quality, recycling and renewable energy.  Reducing waste, saving energy and recycling materials has real financial benefits as well as minimising the impact of your business on the environment.

The NetRegs website is free to use and is regularly updated.  Its aim is to help businesses understand the complex environmental regulations that can affect them.  The site provides guidance on how to comply with environmental law as well as advice on good environmental practice.  Businesses can register to receive updates about environmental issues affecting them.

Local help in the South West can be found on www.oursouthwest.com.  The business section covers accessing local help, national best practice, government support programmes and management tools.

The EUCenter has a brochure on the various EU programmes and funds for the energy and environmental sector.

General startup advice is available from BRAVE and CSV.  The agencies listed on the right provide industry-specific support.  Look out for the next Enviroentrepreneur summer school in 2006 if you want to start a sustainable business or one based on recyclable product content. 

Grants available for environmental groups.