SMALL businesses with big ideas for tackling climate change are now being invited to bid for awards of up to £40,000 each as part of this year’s Shell Springboard programme.

Now in its sixth year, the scheme rewards firms which produce innovative products that are both commercially viable and geared towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Earlier this year, Stroud electronics company HiMag Solutions won the programme’s best low-carbon business idea award for its ultra-efficient Planar transformer.

Shell Springboard has so far awarded more than £1.5 million to 43 successful companies including a shared pot of £320,000 to nine UK businesses last year.

The deadline for entries is 5pm on November 5, 2010, and full details and an online application form can be downloaded at www.shellspringboard.org