The Government has launched the Together for our Planet campaign, calling on every small business in the UK to take small, practical steps to halve their emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement.
The Together for our Planet campaign encourages small businesses of up to 250 employees to visit the UK Business Climate Hub and begin their journey to net zero by making the SME Climate Commitment.
This pledge is to halve greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and achieve net zero emissions before 2050 whilst sharing information on their progress each year.
No matter how small your business or what industry you’re in, your commitment could make a real difference – to your business, to your customers, to your community, and to the planet.
Even the smallest businesses produce carbon emissions through buildings, vehicles, or its supply chain.
The Government is asking you to commit to cutting those carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050.
Net zero means that you’re putting no more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than you’re taking out of it.
When you make a net zero commitment on the UK Business Climate Hub, you’ll get the tools to help you understand:
Making greener choices now is the perfect time to save on your running costs and show your customers you’re serious about sustainability.
According to CDP data (.PDF, 199KB), if you properly insulate your building you may be able to make back the money you spend in a year.
Join the many small businesses taking action on climate change by signing up to the SME Climate Commitment at the UK Business Climate Hub, where you’ll also find tools and resources to help you.
It can be hard to think as far as 2030 when we’re all building back from Coronavirus but cutting emissions can mean saving money and give you a competitive advantage today.
When your business makes the SME Climate Commitment it will have its name and logo featured on the SME Climate Hub and be recognised by the United Nations’ Race to Zero Campaign.
Having your commitment promoted in this way could help you attract a growing number of customers for whom climate change really matters.
A recent Deloitte survey of UK consumers revealed more than a quarter have changed their buying habits because of ethical or environmental concerns and it makes good business sense to attract new customers who want to buy sustainably.
By 2030 you won’t be able to buy new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK, while zero-emission vehicles could support 40,000 jobs.
Getting ahead of other countries like this will create new opportunities here in the UK.
Is your business ready?
If you’re one of the UK’s millions of small businesses going green makes good business sense and you can get a range of financial support to help cut your carbon footprint and save the planet.
Here are five tips to help you to navigate and access the support available to go green.
Get a voucher for installing vehicle charging points in your workplaceLink opens in a new window to help both the business and your staff go green.
The vouchers cover up to 75% of purchase and installation costs, up to a maximum of £350 per charge point socket, and a maximum of 40 charging points per site.
Grants are available to help pay for low-emission vehicles.
The grant will pay for 35% of the purchase priceLink opens in a new window for selected small vans, up to a maximum of £3,000.
The grant will also pay for 35% of the purchase price for selected large vans, up to a maximum of £6,000.
The first 200 large vans ordered through the scheme will receive a grant of £20,000 or a maximum of 20% of the purchase price.
You can claim tax relief by claiming capital allowancesLink opens in a new window, when you buy energy saving equipment for your business.
This includes some cars with low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as well as energy and water saving equipment, gas, biogas, and hydrogen refuelling equipment and new zero-emission goods vehicles.
You can claim on your annual tax return.
You can offer staff the opportunity to hire new bikes and cycling equipment as part of a salary sacrifice schemeLink opens in a new window.
Any size business can operate a cycle to work scheme.
Depending on where you’re based, your local authority or Growth Hub might be able to provide support to help you cut your carbon footprint.
Find your local Growth Hub at the LEP Network website
Alternatively, speak with your bank or accountant about tailored green business finance.
Energy efficiency specialist SURE Solutions will be taking advantage of the Workplace Charging Scheme as it aims to be net zero by 2025.
The Birkenhead-based firm is installing electric charge points for cars used for business over the coming months.
Operations Director Craig Shaw said: “We’ll be fitting six charge points in our car park, with a view to fitting five more as demand increases.
“The transition to electric and hybrid vehicles is well under way, so it makes sense to take advantage of the incentives while they’re available.
“Schemes like these will really help support businesses’ sustainability initiatives, increase electric adoption among employees and support the UK’s climate change goals while maximising commercial benefits.”
We cannot afford to wait to act against the threat of climate change.
Taking action through the SME Climate Hub helps SMEs accelerate business growth, build supply chain resilience, and align with shifting governmental policy and consumer expectations.
Each of us has a part to play so become one of thousands of small business climate leaders across the UK and commit today at the UK Business Climate Hub.
Reference to any organisation, business and event on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation from the British Business Bank or the UK Government. Whilst we make reasonable efforts to keep the information on this page up to date, we do not guarantee or warrant (implied or otherwise) that it is current, accurate or complete. The information is intended for general information purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation, nor does it constitute legal, financial, tax or other professional advice. You should always consider whether the information is applicable to your particular circumstances and, where appropriate, seek professional or specialist advice or support.
