An £8.5m business package has been unveiled by Invest NI to help bolster corporate energy efficiencies.

Making the announcement, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the Carbon Trust funding would help companies improve their profitability whilst reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact.

The Carbon Trust is a UK-wide, not-for-dividend company, funded locally by Invest NI.

Minister Foster said: "As local businesses continue to feel the effects of the economic downturn, many are more conscious than ever of reducing operating costs where possible. The Carbon Trust can help companies make efficiency savings that will achieve this and boost profit margins.

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"Currently every £1 that is spent on Carbon Trust activities in Northern Ireland generates an efficiency saving of £6.

"Alongside this, assistance from the Carbon Trust has levered over £90m of private sector investment in energy efficient and low carbon solutions. This new funding is expected to generate a further £30m."

One of the measures being continued by Carbon Trust is an interest free energy efficiency loan of up to £400,000 to help businesses install the latest energy efficient and renewable energy equipment.

Michael Rea, Chief Operating Officer of the Carbon Trust in the UK said: "With our help companies can reduce not only their operating costs, but also their carbon footprint.

"Two thirds of consumers say it is important for them to buy from environmentally responsible companies, and one in seven say that they have voted with their feet by deciding not to buy from a company based on their environmental reputation."

(PR/JM)