Net zero, carbon neutral, even the language about environmental initiatives can be confusing for businesses. Then there are policies from the UK Government’s new Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to keep up to date with. 

The Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, updated in March, shows where the UK is on its journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, and sets out what it needs to do to hit those targets. 

The report notes it “will require a step change in the rate of new technologies being developed, deployed to market and adopted by businesses and consumers.” It also says: “We recognise that supporting the public and businesses with green choices must address multiple barriers such as, cost, convenience, awareness, and that everyone – government, industry, businesses, and civil society – must work together to achieve net zero to gain the economic benefits and ensure the environment is in a state for future generations.” 

If you are running an SME and have time to dive into all the detail it’s a lot to get your head around.If you don’t have time, because the demands of running your own business are all-consuming, you might be tempted to leave it for another day. 

However, if you don’t think net zero is important to your business there is a strong likelihood it is extremely important to many of your customers, your suppliers and those you supply to.

"By collaborating with those who are already on the journey, it’s far easier for everyone involved."

- Gary Robertson

It may well also be very important to your employees, existing and future, who are increasingly demanding businesses take more action to reduce their carbon footprint. In a highly competitive recruitment market, having strong environmental policies can be the difference between recruiting the talent you need to help you grow your business, or miss out and risk stagnating or, worse still, go backwards.

The good news is, help is at hand. There are organisations out there whose business it is to keep up to date with every government policy tweak, latest green initiative, technical innovation, cost-saving or funding opportunity. They are here to support you and take the pain away from you.

At Eco we are delighted to be one of six companies chosen to take part in a Net Zero Accelerator Beacon Business Programme which, through our collaborative learning, will help other businesses across the UK develop plans to reduce their carbon emissions. 

We, and others, can help businesses through the process from the very first step.

Carbon mitigation is a good place to start. There will already be lots you can do in your organisation once you focus on it. Carbon offsetting is likely to be the last resort.

It’s a lot to take in, but by collaborating with those who are already on the journey, it’s far easier for everyone involved.

This article was first published in the April 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine