ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an abstract from the main report of the Business and Ecology Demonstration Project (BEDP). It discusses the problems surrounding the way in which environmental assistance schemes for small companies are administered in the UK. The National Centre for Business and Ecology (NCBE) recently completed a large environmental assistance programme for small companies in the north-west of England. The regional development agenciess have a number of responsibilities that would sit well with the role of co-ordinating body including: promotion of inward investment, promotion of commercial competitiveness, an advisory role for training and enterprise council and business links. Large-scale 'demonstration projects' for the environmental improvement of small companies have become an established point of delivery for regional strategists in the north-west of England. There are over 180 organisations in the north-west of England purporting to offer small companies advice on environmental matters. A mandate to adopt an integrated policy approach linking economic, social and environmental objectives.
