Climate Commitment - Are you a Zero Hero?

In May 2021 the UK government called for all SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) to take small, practical steps to cut their emissions as part of the journey to be Net Zero by 2050. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng launched Together for our Planet 'business climate leaders', a campaign that encourages small businesses to commit to cutting their emissions in half before 2030 and to be Net Zero by 2050, (or sooner) and have created the UK Business Climate Hub as a resource.

Not only will pledging to be a Net zero Hero support the fight on climate change but it’s also hugely beneficial to your business. Reducing emissions is essentially reducing the amount of energy you’re using and putting a stop to waste. Although changing the way you get energy or how you run your business will have an initial investment of time and money, it will reduce your costs in the long run.

As well as saving money it will also support other areas of your business too. Today’s work force is climate conscience and many millennial's and Gen Zers are looking to work for organisations that have the same social and environmental values that they do. Having a strong strategy for Net Zero will have a positive impact on attracting and retaining talent.

Here are some small and practical steps to cut your emissions and to ensure your part of the UKs small business green revolution.

Education

Offer training to your employees and ensure that everyone is aware of your organisation’s Net Zero strategy. Get your employees involved and ask them for ideas on how to reduce emissions, being inclusive and having the backing of your team will be the foundation of a successful strategy.

Small changes that have a big impact

Install energy saving light bulbs, use less packaging and switch to environmentally friendly supplies. Encourage your staff to use public transport, car share or to walk to work, if possible. And if you’re not doing so already, investigate the cycle to work scheme and see if you could implement it.

Make it fun

Make it fun – Arrange a trip with your team to a planting event with organisations such as, Plant a Tree | National Forest or if that’s not practical for your business right now, the National Trust make it very easy and will do it on your behalf. Plant a tree to help nature thrive or as a gift | National Trust.