Shell Springboard launched in 2005. Since then the programme has attracted over 740 applications from small business owners throughout the UK, with some great ideas to combat climate change, and awarded £1.32 million to 35 businesses.

Shell has funded a UK programme with environmental objectives for over 30 years: the Shell Better Britain Campaign. In 2004 we decided to consult on a new form and focus that better connected to our biggest environmental challenge as a business – climate change.   

Shell Springboard was successfully piloted in 2005. The idea behind the programme is that the business response to climate change should not be all about compliance and cost. There is a huge business opportunity if society is to move from a carbon-constrained world.

Since 2005, 98 businesses have met with regional judging panels and 35 of those have been supported with funds. They are now all on a journey which will see them develop their ideas further, bring new products to market, increase their profit margins but most importantly, help to reduce greenhouse gases. You can follow their progress in the Winning Ideas section of the website.

The programme has also commissioned two pieces of research: one which explores the attitudes of small businesses to climate change; and the other which explores the business opportunity in the UK and global low carbon markets. Go to the Research page for more information.