Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng launched the ‘Together for our Planet’ campaign on Friday 28 May.
The campaign encourages small businesses to pledge to cut their emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner, while helping them grow, adapt and seize new opportunities.
To help businesses they have set up the UK Business Climate Hub. Small businesses can use the hub to find practical tools, resources and advice to understand their emissions and develop a plan to tackle them.
Steps could include installing energy saving light bulbs, switching to electric vehicles and other cleaner forms of transport, looking at environment-friendly packaging options, or introducing cycle to work schemes for employees.
The campaign will also provide small businesses with access to some of the UK’s biggest companies and leading climate experts to support them in taking the simple and practical steps to protect the planet.
Those who make a net zero commitment on the UK Business Climate Hub will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign and will become ‘climate leaders’ – role-modelling and inspiring others in the community to find meaningful ways to take positive environmental action.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Every step that a small business takes on their journey to net zero adds up – not only in protecting the health of the planet but also in future-proofing their business and encouraging new investment, new customers and new opportunities for growth.
We are providing the support and advice small businesses need to join us and become leaders in the fight against climate change.”
Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and as we transition to a green future, they will also the backbone of the UK tackling climate change.
There are huge opportunities for a small business to go green – not only playing their part in saving the planet from climate change but helping grow their business and ensuring it is fit for the future.
Simple changes could differentiate a business from the competition, attract new customers and investment and save them money on their running costs. That is why I am urging the nation’s small businesses to sign up to become business climate leaders and lead the charge in protecting the future of our planet.”
Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce Shevaun Haviland said:
“Tackling the climate crisis demands entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, qualities which we know sit at the heart of our business communities in all parts of the UK. We must harness these abilities to uncover solutions which will not only protect our planet, but drive business growth and create jobs.
The transition to net zero must empower companies to seize the opportunities which come from reducing their environmental impact. This initiative is an important step in enabling SMEs and micro-businesses, which are the backbone of the UK economy, to stake their place in the green economy.”
Source: gov.uk