Businesses in Cornwall are making lasting New Year’s resolutions after completing a course of sustainability at the Eden Project.

The organisations have taken part in the Green Foundation programme, designed to help them work effectively under new government legislation and gain a competitive edge in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Since it was introduced last September, 31 organisations have taken advantage of the free, ten-day scheme funded by the European Social Fund.

These have included Truro’s Hall for Cornwall, Jamie Oliver’s Newquay-based Fifteen Restaurant and Newquay Zoo, as well as accountancy firms, designers, printers, surf and diving companies, dock yards, farmers, hotels, butchers, and toy manufacturers.

As well as using Eden’s site as a ‘living classroom’, Green Foundation participants have been learning in their own and their peers’ workplaces through an exchange programme, with the aim encouraging links between businesses and Eden itself.

Since taking part in the course many have revealed what they plan to introduce, to make them more sustainable.

‘New Year resolutions’ include the Hall for Cornwall vowing to buy eco paints to use in the theatre, Hooper Graphics in Redruth produce a website to promote a community environmental clean-up project, Atlantic Diving in Newquay using alternative marine fuel for their diving boats and Atlantic Brewery in Newquay changing a fermenting vessel to reduce energy use and save long term costs.

Dagnija Innus, from the Hall for Cornwall, said: “Cornwall is perfectly placed for green thinking, but it’s almost impossible to make progress as a county when businesses are working on their own.

“Green Foundation is so important because it could bring about a snowball effect. Hopefully all the people who take part in the programme are going to go out and start a ripple effect.”

The Green Foundation programme is a ten-day course spread across three months and will be running every fortnight until September 2011.

For more information or to book a place, contact Sarah Ross on 01726 818597, email info@greenfoundation.org.uk or visit www.greenfoundation.org.uk