SMALL businesses with big ideas to tackle climate change are being urged to compete for awards of up to £40,000 each, as the Shell Springboard programme opens for its fourth year.

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.

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.

“Shell's scenario planning suggests that in the future we will rely on a mix 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.”

These must be ideas which will lead to greenhouse gas reductions, are commercially viable and also 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.

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