Quick summary: Sustainability loans (also called green or eco loans) help UK businesses finance energy-saving, low-carbon and circular-economy projects — from solar PV and heat pumps to EV fleets and retrofit works. Fast Business Loans is an introducer that matches UK companies with lenders and brokers who specialise in sustainable business finance. Complete a short enquiry (Takes less than 2 minutes. Won’t impact your credit score.) to get a Free Eligibility Check and tailored lender matches for loans from around £10,000 upwards.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Sustainability Loans for UK Businesses
As ESG expectations rise and energy costs bite, sustainability loans provide practical finance to reduce carbon, cut bills and future-proof operations. Finance solar, heat pumps, EV fleets, energy-efficiency upgrades and circular economy projects with specialist lenders and brokers matched to your needs. Fast Business Loans introduces your business to the right providers — fast, free and with no obligation.
Free Eligibility Check — Get Started (Takes less than 2 minutes)
Free to use • No obligation • Introducer only (we don’t lend)
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
What are sustainability loans?
Sustainability loans — often called green loans or eco-loans — are business finance products designed to fund projects that reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency or support the transition to low-carbon operations. They are repayable loans (not grants) and can be structured as unsecured or secured facilities, asset finance, hire purchase, or project-specific lending.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Typical uses include:
- Renewable energy installations (solar PV, biomass, small wind)
- Energy-efficiency measures (LED lighting, insulation, HVAC upgrades)
- Low-carbon transport solutions (EVs, charging infrastructure)
- Sustainable construction and retrofit works
- Waste reduction and circular-economy investments
Unlike grants, loans must be repaid; unlike standard business finance, sustainability loans may offer longer terms, asset-specific amortisation, or incentives such as ESG-linked rate discounts where lenders reduce interest if agreed sustainability KPIs are met.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Why UK businesses are investing in sustainable projects
There are several practical reasons businesses choose sustainable upgrades:
- Lower operating costs — energy savings can materially reduce monthly expenses and improve margins.
- Regulatory and supply-chain pressure — buyers and procurers increasingly require environmental credentials.
- Access to new customers and improved brand reputation.
- Potential tax advantages, capital allowances and access to complementary grants or incentives.
- Future-proofing premises and fleets as the UK moves to net zero.
Even where payback periods vary, many projects offer predictable returns through energy bill savings and reduced maintenance costs — making them an attractive use of capital for many SMEs and larger firms alike.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
How Fast Business Loans helps you secure sustainable finance
We are an introducer. We do not lend. Instead we match your company with lenders and brokers experienced in sustainability finance so you can compare suitable options quickly.
Our simple process:
- Complete a short enquiry (basic business details, project type, amount required). Takes less than 2 minutes and won’t affect your credit score.
- We match you with vetted lenders and brokers who specialise in your sector and project.
- Providers contact you directly to discuss terms, due diligence and next steps.
- You compare offers and decide which to pursue. There’s no obligation to accept any offer.
We aim to reduce the legwork: you tell us the project and budget, and we introduce you to those most likely to help. Typical matches are for loans and finance from around £10,000 upwards.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Get Matched to Green Finance Specialists
Testimonial (example): “Fast Business Loans introduced us to a broker who structured a solar PV loan that cut our energy bill by 40% — the process was quick and straightforward.” — Manufacturing SME
Types of sustainability loans & finance we can introduce
Renewable energy installation finance
Funding for rooftop or ground-mounted solar PV, biomass boilers and small wind projects. Typical loan sizes: £10k–£1m+. Terms vary from 5–15 years depending on asset life and security requirements.
Energy-efficiency upgrade finance
Loans for insulation, LED lighting, HVAC replacements and building fabric improvements. Often shorter terms (3–10 years) and sometimes offered as asset finance or equipment hire purchase.
Low-carbon transport and EV fleets
Vehicle finance for electric vans, trucks and charging infrastructure. Options include hire purchase, leasing and asset finance with terms matched to vehicle lifecycles.
Circular economy & waste reduction projects
Finance for machinery, processing lines or technology that reduces waste and increases reuse. Terms reflect equipment costs and projected savings.
Sustainable construction & retrofit finance
Funding for retrofit projects or sustainable build elements. Larger facilities may combine development finance with long-term term loans.
Working capital with ESG-linked incentives
Some lenders offer working capital or revolving facilities with interest rate reductions tied to verified sustainability performance targets.
Eligibility snapshot: who can apply?
Fast Business Loans introduces registered UK companies seeking commercial finance. Typical eligibility factors lenders consider:
- Registered UK business or limited company with verifiable trading history.
- Project viability and credible cost estimates or supplier quotes.
- Turnover and profitability relative to the loan requested.
- Credit history — many lenders consider credit profiles but some specialise in complex or adverse-credit cases.
- Security or collateral may be required for larger facilities.
Documentation commonly requested: business accounts (or management accounts), project quotes, VAT registration, director ID and proof of ownership of premises (if relevant). Final criteria are set by the lenders or brokers we introduce.
Application roadmap: from enquiry to funding
Step 1 — Prepare
Define the project, gather supplier quotes, energy assessments or an EPC if available, and prepare high-level cost and payback estimates.
Step 2 — Complete our enquiry form
Provide business contact details, the amount you need, and a short description of the sustainability project. Takes under 2 minutes and won’t impact your credit file.
Step 3 — Introduction & lender conversations
We introduce you to relevant lenders/brokers who will contact you to discuss suitability, pricing and any due diligence. Expect initial responses within hours to a few days.
Step 4 — Offer comparison & due diligence
Review terms, fees and security requirements. We recommend independent legal and financial advice before you sign any agreements.
Step 5 — Funding & post-completion monitoring
Once terms are agreed and conditions met, funds are drawn and your project can proceed. Some lenders request KPI reporting if the loan is ESG-linked.
Costs, interest rates & typical terms
Pricing varies by lender, loan structure and borrower profile. Typical considerations:
- Interest rates depend on security, size and borrower credit — secured loans tend to be cheaper.
- Terms commonly range from 2–15 years depending on the asset’s useful life.
- Arrangement fees or legal costs may apply — always check the full cost figure (APR or total cost).
- Some ESG-linked loans offer rate reductions if agreed sustainability targets are met; others include monitoring costs.
- Many borrowers combine loans with grants or incentive schemes to improve overall project economics.
Exact pricing is set by the lender or broker. Use our Free Eligibility Check to see indicative options for your project and compare quotes before committing.
Boosting your sustainability loan approval chances
Increase the likelihood of a good offer with this checklist:
- Supply clear, itemised supplier quotes and project specifications.
- Provide an energy audit or predicted savings where possible.
- Prepare recent management accounts and cash flow forecasts showing affordability.
- Demonstrate measurable environmental benefits (CO₂ savings, kWh reductions).
- Disclose existing debts and be transparent about prior borrowing or refusals.
- Consider offering suitable security to reduce pricing for larger loans.
Where appropriate, pair loan applications with available grants or local authority support to improve leverage and reduce net cost.
Case study snapshots
- Manufacturing SME — Solar roof: £120,000 loan to install rooftop solar. Outcome: 35% reduction in energy bills, payback projected in 5–7 years (figures illustrative).
- Hospitality group — Heating & insulation retrofit: £85,000 funded to upgrade boilers and insulation across two sites, leading to lower fuel costs and improved guest comfort.
- Logistics operator — EV fleet transition: £250,000 asset finance combined with leasing to replace diesel vans with EVs and install depot chargers.
Individual results vary and all finance is subject to status and lender approval.
Additional support & resources
Useful external resources: the UK Government’s business support pages, Innovate UK and local enterprise partnership (LEP) incentives. For technical help, consider engaging an energy consultant to produce an audit or payback estimate prior to applying.
Learn more about the kinds of sustainability loans you can access and how projects are funded on our dedicated sustainability loans pillar page: sustainability loans.
FAQs: Sustainability loans with Fast Business Loans
- Are sustainability loans the same as grants?
- No. Sustainability loans are repayable finance provided by lenders. Grants are typically non-repayable and are awarded separately. We can introduce you to lenders; grant applications are handled directly through the awarding body.
- Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score?
- No. Completing our enquiry form will not impact your credit score. Lenders or brokers may perform credit checks later with your consent.
- What loan sizes are available?
- Our partners typically handle loans from around £10,000 upwards — from small equipment purchases to multi-hundred-thousand pound retrofit projects.
- How quickly can funding be arranged?
- Timescales vary by lender and project complexity. Some straightforward asset finance deals complete in days; larger project finance can take several weeks for due diligence and approvals.
- Do you provide financial advice?
- Fast Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide regulated financial advice. We connect you with lenders or brokers who will discuss options with you directly.
Important disclaimer
Fast Business Loans acts as an introducer only and does not lend money or provide regulated financial advice. Finance availability, eligibility and final terms are set by the lenders and brokers we introduce. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria. Completing an enquiry does not guarantee approval.
For more information about our service, privacy and terms, please see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions on the site.
– What are sustainability loans and how do they work?
Sustainability loans (green or eco loans) are repayable business finance for UK companies to fund energy-saving, low‑carbon and circular‑economy projects via secured, unsecured or asset‑finance structures.
– Who can apply for a sustainability loan in the UK?
Registered UK businesses with a viable project and supporting quotes or costings can apply, with final eligibility set by the lender.
– How does Fast Business Loans work for green finance?
We’re an introducer that uses your short enquiry (not a full application) to match you with specialist lenders/brokers for free and with no obligation.
– Will completing the enquiry affect my credit score?
No — the Free Eligibility Check won’t impact your credit score, and any credit searches happen later with your consent.
– How much can I borrow and over how long?
Typical loans start from around £10,000 and can run 2–15 years depending on the asset, security and lender criteria.
– What projects can sustainability loans fund?
Common uses include solar PV, heat pumps, LED and HVAC upgrades, insulation and retrofit works, EVs and charging, and waste‑reduction or circular‑economy equipment.
– What interest rates and fees should I expect?
Rates vary by profile and security (secured is usually cheaper), some lenders offer ESG‑linked discounts, and you should check the total cost including any arrangement or legal fees.
– How quickly can funding be arranged?
Straightforward asset finance can complete in days, while larger or project‑finance deals typically take several weeks for due diligence.
– What documents will lenders usually ask for?
Expect recent accounts or management figures, itemised supplier quotes, project specs or energy savings data, director ID, and property details if security is offered.
– Can start‑ups or businesses with adverse credit apply?
Yes — some specialist lenders consider early‑stage or complex credit cases where the project and affordability stack up.