The Climate Change Business Grant will be run again this financial year, along with three other grant rounds; one each for community partnerships, community decarbonisation, and adaptation.

Further information and grant criteria will be released later in the year.

We aim to open the community partnerships and community decarbonisation grants from 25 October – 29 November 2024. The adaptation and business grants from will open 28 March – 2 May 2025.

Nelson City Council is proud to announce the successful recipients of its latest round of Climate Change Business Grants, aimed at fostering innovative projects that contribute to the sustainability of our region. With a total funding pool of $50,000, the council has awarded grants to three transformative projects, each with the potential to make a significant impact on our community.

• The Cargo e-Bike Initiative
  • Applicant: Bike Hub Nelson Inc
  • Amount awarded: $8,970.56
• Low-emissions commuting
  • Applicant: Businesses for Climate Action/Mission Zero
  • Amount awarded: $20,000
• Advertising public transport on the back of the e-buses
  • Applicant: Nelson Transport Strategy Group, Nelsust Inc
  • Amount awarded: $21,000

Nelson City Council is committed to supporting projects that contribute to the city's environmental goals. This funding round is a testament to the council's dedication to fostering innovative solutions that address climate change and promote a healthier, more sustainable future for Nelson.

Nelson City Council’s annual climate change fund for business grants is now open and closes 11.59pm 13 June 2024. Amounts up to $25,000 are available for this round, with a total of $50,000.

The purpose of this grant is to enable business-led initiatives, activities and projects which contribute to climate change mitigation measures. The grant aims to contribute to a collective goal creating a win-win scenario where businesses thrive, costs are minimised, and the broader community benefits.

We encourage grant applicants to propose projects that not only benefit their own operations but also positively impact other local businesses and residents. The extent to which proposals reflect kaupapa Māori or is of benefit to Māori will also be considered.Council welcomes innovative proposals that directly or indiretly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within Nelson. It is important to note that carbon sequestration projects fall outside the scope of this grant. Projects exclusively targeting waste minimisation are already covered by the Waste Minimisation grants provided by the Nelson City Council.

Proposals will need to calculate their emissions baseline to ensure outcomes can be measured and emissions reduction demonstrated.

• For direct emission reductions: Applicants will need to demonstrate an emissions reduction pathway after 6 months from project commencement, and an absolute or intensity reduction in emissions after 12 months.
  
  
• For indirect emission reductions: Applicants will need to estimate the expected emissions reduction when possible.

During FY 19/20 reporting period, Nelson’s total gross GHG emissions were 330,980 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). Transport was the largest GHG emission emitting sector, producing 61.1% of Nelson’s total gross GHG emissions. Stationary Energy (i.e. non-transport energy use) was the second largest GHG emission emitting sector, producing 14.3% of Nelson’s total gross GHG emissions, followed by Waste.

Nelson City Council would like to encourage the reduction of GHG in the highest emitting sectors.

How to apply

The application guidelines provide some examples of projects which we might support.

Applications for projects of $5,000 and over are required to contact climatechangeteam@ncc.govt.nz , with “Business Grant” in the subject line, to assess if their project qualifies prior to completing the application process.

Please carefully read the Climate Change Business Grant application guidelines before applying. The guidelines also detail the full criteria and exclusions for the grant programme. Our staff are happy to chat at any time if you have any questions or would like further understanding of the fund criteria or how to apply (email climatechangeteam@ncc.govt.nz, with “Business Grant” in the subject line).

Evaluation criteria

Projects will be assessed by a panel of specialist officers using the assessment criteria and the following evaluation factors:

• Does the project benefit Nelson?
• Will the project result in either a new activity, or a significant expansion of an existing activity outside of ‘business as usual’?
• What is your ability/track record and capacity to deliver the project?
• Does the project directly contribute to emissions or energy reduction?
• Does the project indirectly contribute to emissions or energy reduction? Is the estimated reduction in emissions significant?
• What does success look like for your project and how will it be measured?

The extent to which proposals reflect Kaupapa Māori (incorporating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of Māori society)*, or benefit/involve Māori, will also be considered:

Showing respect for Māori knowledge and values and learning from the valuable and unique insights and information that Kaupapa Māori provides.

• Kaitiakitanga (guardianship): Working towards the common goal of respecting the environment. For example, how resources can be used for the benefit of all.
• Whanaungatanga (building collaborative relationships): how can your project build meaningful and collaborative relationships across boundaries to achieve change? You may consider working with an iwi organisation or rangitahi if appropriate.
• Manaakitanga (compassion): building the principles of treating others with kindness and respect, giving back, and valuing learning from others.
• Mahaki (generosity and humility): sharing of knowledge with generosity and humility to empower your community for the benefit of all.
• Ako (learning and teaching): educating future generations of Māori and non-Māori, including learning from and preserving ancestral knowledge.
• Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi**

* Principles of Kaupapa Māori: https://whatworks.org.nz/kaupapa-maori/

** https://www.archives.govt.nz/discover-our-stories/the-treaty-of-waitangi)