Kingston Green Business Challenge

Your pathway through the scheme is clear and simple, with all the support you need on hand.

Step 1 - Applying to join the pilot scheme

Businesses will be able to apply to join the scheme by completing an online eligibility quiz (This will not take more than 4 minutes). You will be notified soon on whether your organisation can proceed or not to the next stage of the application process. 

Eligible businesses will be contacted by our project partner, Green Mark  and/or Kingston Council who will invite you to a webinar. The first 15 businesses, which apply and meet the eligibility criteria, will receive free support and funding up to £2,000 to undertake environmental improvements.

If unsuccessful, we will retain your interest and information so that you can be contacted in the future. 

Step 2 - Webinar

We will explain the next steps of the process through a one hour webinar, which will give you a walkthrough of the online portal you will use to complete a questionnaire, talk you through some of the questionnaire’s questions, and answer any questions you may have about the process.

Step 3 - Initial Audit & Action Report

Businesses should complete the Green Mark Assessment by using the online Green Mark platform. The Assessment will help you to understand the impact your business activities have on the environment, and the processes and action plans that your business will need to establish and develop in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of your operations. The businesses will receive, by email, a General Assessment Report which explains what they did well and what can be improved upon in the Assessment. In the Green Mark portal itself, the businesses will be able to view and, if they wish, download an Excel spreadsheet giving guidance, tips, and examples from the auditor on specific changes required for each question. 
 
The process itself is designed to engage, educate and help you achieve the first step towards establishing an Environmental Management System in your company. 

Step 4 - Applying for Funding 

Businesses that would like to receive funding to cover the costs of environmental improvements will have to complete an online application form.

Step 5 - Taking Action

The businesses will receive access to a tailored set of actions and guidelines within the online Green Mark portal, which acts as a framework to implement change. The process is fully supported by the Green Mark customer service team. The process typically takes between 4 - 7 weeks. 

Step 6 - Final Environmental Assessment

Businesses will upload updated evidence on the Green Mark portal to fulfil the requirements of Level 1 Green mark, using the auditor’s guidance and report to help them. Your final submission will be checked, and, if necessary, your business will receive feedback again on what to improve until it has reached the standard required for accreditation. 

The process will lead to your business identifying areas for improvement, some of which should directly align with the additional funding available. The final submission should provide a credible action plan and outline the value and long term impact of the potential grant. This will support you during Step 7 when you submit your claim for funding. 

Step 7 - Receiving the Green Mark Certificate

Upon completion of the Assessment process, the businesses will receive an electronic certificate to help demonstrate their commitment to the environment. 

Green Mark will notify Kingston Council about the environmental improvements which have been made and the cost in relation to environmental audits and the accreditation. 

Step 8 - Submit the claim 

Kingston Council will check the evidence submitted to Green Mark by businesses. Then, businesses will be asked to submit an invoice for the amount they spent on the improvements, which should be accompanied by receipts. The maximum grant per business will be £2,000. The invoices will be paid after completion of due diligence checks.

Step 9 - Celebration event

Kingston Council, in collaboration with Green Mark , Kingston Chamber of Commerce and other local partners, will organise an event (in person or virtual) to celebrate the successes of businesses, which participated in the scheme, and share lessons learned. 

Timeline:

• Apply: by 30 December 2021
• Decisions: by 12 January 2022
• Webinar: January 2022 - date to be confirmed
• First Green Mark Audit: by 21 January 2022
• Businesses to implement actions to be funded by 4 March 2022
• Final Green Mark Audit: by 11 March 2022
• Funding processed: March 2022