In Focus Commercial Credit Small steps
Three-quarters of SMEs believe their actions impact climate change
David Thomson Chief executive, Close Brothers Invoice and Speciality Finance
Three-quarters of SME senior decision makers in the UK and Ireland believe their business can help tackle climate change, according to our latest research.
Significant effect In total, one third (30%) of small and medium-sized enterprises say that their actions have a significant effect on climate change, while a further two fifths (44%) say they have some impact. In comparison, 26% say their actions cannot influence the environmental issue. The likelihood of SMEs believing that
they cannot make a difference to the climate crisis correlates with company size. Two-fifths (41%) of the smallest businesses,
with 10 employees or less, say their actions do not have an impact, whereas 17% of larger SMEs, with more than 250 members of staff, think the same.
Sense of empowerment Despite this differing sense of empowerment, 94% of small and medium-sized companies
The most popular steps small and medium-sized companies are taking to help tackle climate change include recycling (59%), being energy efficient (46%), and going paperless (31%)
say they have policies in place to reduce their impact upon the environment. The most popular steps small and
medium-sized companies are taking to help tackle climate change include recycling (59%), being energy efficient (46%), and going paperless (31%).
Carbon footprint Similarly, many think they will be able to reduce their carbon footprint significantly
by 2050. At the top end, 35% believe they will become completely carbon neutral and 22% estimate they can reach 75% carbon offset. However, a further 20% say reducing
carbon emissions is not a priority for them and expect to counterbalance less than a quarter of the carbon dioxide they release.
A prevalent concern Climate change is now a prevalent concern for everyone, and we must all adapt to reduce the impact that we have on the environment. For many businesses, resulting changes
will certainly present both challenges and opportunities. Companies that implement policies
which address climate change now are most likely to meet environmental targets and thrive in the future. It is, therefore, positive to see that many
smaller firms are now already taking steps to help. CCR
January 2020
www.CCRMagazine.com
15
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52