The UK’s champion of small businesses is calling for greater political leadership to inspire a wave of ‘green growth’ and help the UK get to net zero.
Small Business Britain is urging the government to commit to beefing up small business sustainability support, setting clearer guidelines on getting to net zero, and offering better access to funding for irms looking to go green.
The Small Business, Green Growth research report – which Small Business Britain launched in partnership with BT earlier this year – found four in five (80%) business owners want to reduce their emissions, but fewer than 2% said they had significant sustainability resources at their disposal to do so, with two thirds wanting more support to become sustainable.
Data from the report found that only 10% of small business sustainability efforts are influenced by government policy, with personal values, customer pressure and supply chain requirements having a far greater impact.
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“Leadership from government and big business is urgently needed to solve the major challenges that small businesses, and the wider world, are going to face as a result of climate change,” said Small Business Britain founder Michelle Ovens CBE.
“There is a clear opportunity for the next government to take the lead in driving a positive shift towards greener growth – through greater clarity, connection, and engagement with small businesses.
“Not only can small firms make a major impact on reducing emissions, but entrepreneurs have a hugely exciting role to play in driving sustainable innovations.”
Access to finance was particularly identified as a major barrier to firms going green.
A third (34%) of business owners feel cost restricts them to reduce emissions, with 65% wanting more grants to be made available, underlining another potential area for future Government intervention.
