Mayor Richard Parker announced today that 1,300 businesses across the West Midlands will receive a share of £15 million in new funding to help reduce energy usage and costs, advancing the region’s goal of achieving net zero by 2041. The initiative, part of the business Energy Advice Service (BEAS) pilot scheme led by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, aims to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in implementing energy-efficient measures through free audits and match funding ranging from £1,000 to £100,000. The program has already helped over 2,400 businesses save millions on energy bills and cut carbon emissions significantly. By fully implementing these measures, participating businesses could collectively save £16 million annually while reducing their carbon footprint by 34,000 tonnes. The mayor emphasized that this funding will enable businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and create more jobs, contributing to overall regional prosperity.