Ian C Jones
Berkshire UK • 07469018888 ian@newgatetrading.co.uk • LinkedIn
In today's world, carbon footprinting has become a topic of increasing importance, permeating not only scientific journals and corporate discussions but also our everyday lives. From the carbon emissions associated with flights to the environmental impact of our dietary choices, awareness of carbon footprinting is becoming ingrained in our collective consciousness. Understanding and Reducing Your SME's Carbon Footprint has never been more important.
What is Carbon Footprinting?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide, and often includes other Greenhouse Gases in "carbon dioxide equivalents," generated by a business's activities and subsequently released into the atmosphere. In essence, carbon footprinting serves as a metric to gauge the extent to which a company's services or products contribute to climate change.
Why Does Your SME's Carbon Footprint Matter?
Understanding and addressing your business's carbon footprint is not just an environmental responsibility; it's a strategic imperative. Consider these compelling statistics:
Global Impact: Global temperatures are projected to rise by 2.4°C by 2100, exceeding the safe limit of 1.5°C.
SMEs and UK's Net-Zero Target: SMEs make up 99.9% of all UK businesses and contribute 52% of the GDP from UK businesses, playing a pivotal role in achieving the UK's 2050 net-zero target. Approximately half of the UK's business sector emissions stem from SMEs.
Decarbonization Challenges: A survey of 1200 SMEs revealed that 76% lacked a decarbonization strategy, and only 3% had measured their carbon footprints in the last five years. Lack of knowledge, cost concerns, and limited awareness about the government's net-zero targets pose barriers to decarbonization among SMEs.
Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Change
The SME sector, employing 60% of the UK workforce and contributing significantly to the economy, must be empowered to reduce its carbon footprint. To align businesses with values and meet national and international decarbonization commitments, SMEs should embrace sustainable changes.
Economic Incentives: Reducing carbon emissions can lead to substantial cost savings for SMEs—up to £400 million—by lowering energy costs1.
Measuring and Acting: SMEs must measure their carbon footprints, both direct and across their value chains, to identify areas for improvement. Taking remedial actions is crucial for combating global climate change.
GDP Impact: Failure to increase decarbonization efforts could result in a 2% shortfall in the UK's GDP in 2050, costing £51.5 billion annually1.
In conclusion, addressing your SME's carbon footprint is not just an environmental responsibility; it's a strategic necessity. Embracing sustainability not only contributes to the fight against climate change but also positions your business for long-term success in a world increasingly focused on environmental responsibility. A great step to get on to the right foot is for you and your staff to complete carbon literacy training, contact us at Newgate Trading to find out how cost effective this can be.
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