With the Government pledging a million new ‘green collar’ jobs over the next two decades, Shell Springboard is urging UK SMEs to capitalise on the growing market opportunity by applying for a financial boost from the programme.

James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK, said, "SMEs are a vibrant and creative sector of the economy, so they're ideally placed to be climate change entrepreneurs".

He continued, "Shell's scenario planning suggests that in the future we will be reliant on a mix of a number of different energy sources and energy saving technologies. Grassroots innovation from small businesses could be a crucial factor in driving the development of this mix. I'd urge SMEs operating in this field to give serious consideration to the Springboard programme".

Shell Springboard offers a financial boost for UK businesses with compelling ideas for tackling climate change. These must be ideas which:

• Will lead to greenhouse gas reductions
• Are commercially viable
• Are innovative

Up to six awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 are on offer in each of three UK regions. Last year awards of £40,000 were made to five businesses from across the UK.

The deadline for 2008 entries is November 7th 2008. Full details and an online application form can be found at www.shellspringboard.org.

2007 Springboard winner, Dr Paula Carey of Carbon8 – a company whose ‘accelerated carbonation’ process turns everyday rubbish from landfill sites into building materials such as bricks or roofing - believes the credibility of winning Shell Springboard helped confirm a partnership with Kent County Council to create a pilot project on a local landfill site.

Dr Paula Carey said. “Programmes like Shell Springboard encourage small and medium sized businesses to seize the issue of climate change as a commercial opportunity that should be embraced. Winning the award last year has enabled us to continue our research and development activity as well as initiate an all important pilot project in the local Council."