21 September 2021

Small businesses are being reminded of how they can play their part in the effort to reach net zero.

SMEs can support the Together for Our Planet Business Climate Leaders’ Campaign through a range of measures. They include:

  • Share our Frontify campaign toolkit on social media
  • Link to the Business Climate Leaders Hub on your own digital platforms
  • Tell us about the net zero actions you or other SMEs you know are taking by sending us a case study:
    • The UK Government is also looking for net zero case studies showing different ways small businesses are taking action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The aim is to use these as a tool to help inspire other small businesses to make their own changes. Taking action could be as simple as ‘switch off’ reminder stickers on lights and computers, or as bold as installing bike racks, solar panels or electric vehicle charging points.  The case study, which might be written or in video format, should ideally cover who you are, what you’ve done, the benefits and a call to action to encourage other businesses to get started on their climate journey.
    • If you would like to tell your story, the first step is to fill in this short form where you can let us know what you’re doing – this takes 7 minutes on average. Based on your answers we may get in touch with you about opportunities to feature in our marketing materials, which could include us coming out to film you to feature on social media (complying with COVID-19 regulations), being included in a PR pitch or featuring in a media partnership.
    • If you have any questions or thoughts, please contact Sam Lux: sam.lux@beis.gov.uk.
  • Please use the following suggested text when communicating the campaign:
    • Ahead of the UN climate change conference (COP26) hosted in Glasgow this year, small businesses from across the UK are invited to join the green business revolution and commit to becoming more sustainable. By November, the aim is for as many UK small businesses as possible to join the UN’s ‘Race to Zero’, a global effort to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we all generate to zero by 2050. Small businesses can sign up to the Race to Zero by visiting the new Business Climate Hub which is an official UK Government site offering practical steps on cutting emissions and inspiring success stories from other businesses. Taking action on climate change will help businesses to grow, seize new opportunities and adapt against the challenges of a changing planet. Reducing emissions can lower running costs, save money, attract new customers and help to start a green business movement.

 

Andrew Goodacre, Bira CEO, said: "The Government is clearly keen to involve small businesses with the net zero campaign.

"We already know that many retailers have taken steps to reduce carbon emissions and energy usage and it is only right if we highlight some of these businesses who have more proactive and creative."

The Net Zero presentation (along with TRIG, innovation, modern slavery, Rail Transformation Agenda etc.) will be delivered at the Transport Innovation Expo - DfT SME Working Group Event, October 7, 2021. If you are interested please register using this link Transport Innovation Expo - Connected Places Catapult