waste and resources, transport and wider business management, namely: - Energy: installing LED lights and insulation, changing boiler/heating systems, renewable energy generation. - Waste and Resources: reducing paper and/or plastic use and recycling. - Transport: reducing car journeys (e.g. through car sharing, public transport, cycling, walking, remote working), and investing in low-emission vehicles (electric/hydrogen). - Business Management: shortening supply chains, carbon off setting, and measuring carbon footprint.
Ultimately, businesses embracing the net zero transition can address the risks of future policy change and so improve future competitiveness. Many businesses recognise this and it shows that despite pandemic impacts, a focus on a Green Recovery for businesses can increase competitive advantage by reducing environmental impact. To help support reducing your carbon footprint
and energy usage you can apply for a Low Carbon Workspaces grant. Grants are available to SMEs in Bedfordshire and can be applied for at: https://www.
lowcarbonworkspaces.co.uk/eligible-projects/
Legal and compliance obligations T ere are, and will continue to be, many policy and legislative changes to achieve net zero at local, regional and national scale. Examples include: - Plastic Packaging Tax (from April 2022). Plastic packaging with less than 30% recyclable content will be charged at £200 per tonne. T is is likely to impact those obligated to meet the current packaging regulations i.e. producing or handling over 10T packaging or in excess of £2m annually.
- T e Environment Bill (from October 2022) will set a framework for long-term legally binding targets for the UK post-Brexit, covering air quality, water, biodiversity, resource effi ciency and waste reduction. - Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (from April 2023). A minimum Energy Performance Certifi cate (EPC) rating of E will apply to all commercial leases. By 2030 EPC minimum targeted is B.
What do businesses need to do? Every business can start considering how climate change will impact their strategy and operations. Taking early preventative and/or mitigative action will minimise future costs and disruption. Building on the aforementioned benefi ts to business, you can: - Assess and understand environmental impact within a defi ned scope and boundary. For a full assessment consider your direct (i.e. owned and controlled sources) and indirect emissions (i.e. purchased energy for electricity, heat or cooling, business travel, supply chain). - Assess how the external environment and stakeholders may infl uence the need to take action. For example, if your supply chain is susceptible to disruption from severe weather, could a greater percentage be sourced locally to reduce risk? Are your customers increasingly aff ected by environmental legislation? Will they increase environmental stipulations in the products/service you provide?
Assessments will highlight the areas where you can reduce environmental impact most signifi cantly, effi ciently and/or eff ectively, and identify areas most at risk to climate related and socio-economic changes.
Plan and action your activities Plan and detail the measures you will take to reduce environmental impact, and the actions required to mitigate the risk of climate and socio-economic changes, such as consumer pressure. All businesses can improve their environmental impact through
implementing simple measures such as switching to a renewable electricity supplier and implementing measures referred to in the Competitive Advantage section. For maximum eff ectiveness, we recommend businesses build a
clear Action Plan for improving environmental impact, rather than implementing measures individually. T e plan should consider how to engage and manage relevant stakeholders, risks, legal and compliance obligations and seek available support and adopt low-carbon technologies. After evaluating these infl uences, set SMART targets underpinned by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on environmental impact and integrate them into business functions. Review the measures within the plan to ensure consistency with the organisational vision and goals. Allocate responsibility and accountability for executing the Action Plan to a senior manager. Many businesses will be aff ected by the transition
to the national net zero goal but it also presents a range of opportunities for businesses. Given the wide- ranging difficulties businesses are currently facing, environmental action may be taken at diff erent speeds. Nonetheless, the Chamber will support businesses with relevant guidance, best practice and advice through our network.
For further information contact 01582 522320 or visit
www.zerocarbonbusiness.uk/
ALL THINGS BUSINESS 29
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