A new “one-stop shop” created by the UK government is intended to help small enterprises reduce their carbon emissions.
Government agencies, the business society and trade organizations collaborated to create the British Business Climate Hub. This hub will act as the SME Climate Hub’s counterpart in the UK, a global effort that was started in 2020 to encourage SMEs to take action on climate change.
A study carried out by Sage & the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and published the year before found that 44% of the UK’s non-domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to SMEs. 90% of respondents said they were stymied in their efforts to embrace greener practices despite having the desire to do so, from difficulties finding suitable solutions to financial limitations.
Emphasizes benefits to the economy
This study also showed that cost savings was the main benefit that people saw from using greener methods. The British Business Climate Hub’s communication places a strong emphasis on helping SMEs save money by reducing their energy consumption, particularly at a time when many are struggling with inflation and rising business expenses, which are in part caused by major energy price increases.
Graham Stuart, a minister of government for security of energy and net zero, made the following statement on launching the new platform:
“More companies are seeing the advantages of going net zero for business, and we’re eager to give them the tools they need to succeed. Businesses can access all the guidance they need in one place at the recently launched UK Business Climate Hub to lower their environmental impact and save money on energy costs.
This new platform offers useful information and suggestions in eight different areas, including building and household energy use, electric transport, supply chain issues, and the labeling of goods and certification.
Industry-specific strategies
The recently founded Net Zero Council, an organization created earlier this year to enhance cooperation among top business executives, legislators, and the government, has given the center its endorsement. This council has developed a framework for corporate strategies that makes it easier for industry experts to work together to develop plans unique to their fields.
The vital contribution of SMEs to the UK’s economic growth and their requirement for support in adhering to ESG principles are stressed by Jane Tait, an ESG-focused trade consultancy at the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT).
The environmental domain’s challenges
The announcement of the hub’s launch coincides with research about the trade union Possibility, which reveals that environmental professionals believe that a lack of staff, particularly experts and specialists, combined with inadequate pay, could obstruct the UK’s move toward net zero.
According to The Guardian, 40% of survey respondents saw a drop of specialist staff, which had a substantial impact on workload.
According to Sue Ferns, deputy deputy general secretary of Prospect, “despite government officials talking up the prospect of green jobs, it hasn’t putting in place the financial backing needed for making working in the environment the desirable career that it should be.”