by Jbs041509 g3 — April 22, 2009—As securing capital investment becomes more challenging, the Carbon Trust has developed a how-to-guide to help facilities managers, works engineers, and environmental managers make an effective business case for investment in low carbon projects.
The guide, Making the business case for a carbon reduction project, is based on research conducted among senior executives who have provided valuable insight into what decision makers are looking for when considering whether to invest in a project.
The guide covers the process of securing investments from start to finish and logically works through the steps of gathering data and evidence, building the case (including considerations of finance and risk), drafting the proposal, presenting it and then maintaining momentum.
The guide highlights the common mistakes made when presenting a business case, including using unexplained jargon or ambiguous terms, failing to identify and deal with risk factors, not using the appropriate financial appraisal methods, and not giving a single clear recommendation.
The guide was launched along with a new online resource that helps a business through each step of planning a project. To see the Project Planning Tool resource center, visit the Carbon Trust Web site.
