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Farmers offered new 'green funding' deal

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has today announced financial help for farmers to invest in energy-saving equipment and slash their energy bills by a total of £4 million.  Using interest-free loans from the Carbon Trust, they will also have the opportunity to cut 25,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. 

From 1 February 2010, British farmers will be eligible for unsecured, interest-free loans for between £3,000 and £20,000 to help them upgrade to more energy-efficient equipment by calling 01865 885846 or visiting the Carbon Trust website. The loans are designed to pay for themselves through direct energy savings provided over one to four years – and after the loan is repaid, farmers will make direct savings on their energy costs, as well as cutting the carbon footprint of what they produce.

Hilary Benn said:

“It makes sense for farmers to reduce the energy they use. It reduces the cost of producing food, and it cuts the environmental impact, too – something more and more consumers are asking about. But the up-front costs can be prohibitive.

“These interest-free loans will help farmers to upgrade their equipment to become more energy efficient – saving money in the long run, as well as helping the agricultural sector to cut emissions right at the start of the food chain.”

The new funding has been provided to help the farming sector to meet the carbon reduction aims laid out the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan. In the plan, the Government announced a target to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually by 2020.

Further information

Call the Carbon Trust on 01865 885846 or visit their website

Page last modified: 21 December 2009
Page published: 21 December 2009