Are any of your customers large companies or government departments?
When they start asking you for details of your carbon footprint and your plans to reach net zero, do you have the information available and the tools at hand to meet the required regulatory standards?
As large companies adapt their businesses to meet new regulations on carbon emissions, they will expect the SMEs in their supply chain to set targets themselves, and to create emission reduction plans.
NatWest’s Springboard to Sustainable Recovery Report finds that, given the right support, SMEs could contribute almost half of the UK’s total carbon reduction target, as they represent such a large part of the supply chain.
But too often SMEs report that, although they want to reduce their carbon emissions and tap into the potential business growth that could result from being part of a sustainable supply chain, they find emissions reporting a challenge.
NatWest has joined forces with carbon-management experts Cogo to develop a free toolkit which provides information on how businesses might measure, understand, and reduce their carbon consumption. Research shows that SMEs which begin carbon reduction journeys could experience potential costs savings too.
The toolkit offers:
- Help with creating an emissions inventory
- Support in setting targets and making public commitments
- Guides to making action plans that could help achieve targets
- Tips on evaluating progress and certification
It guides a business through the process of setting up an emissions inventory, which could show you how much carbon you’re currently using. It also walks you through setting up reduction goals, gives guidance on how to reach them, then gives tips on how to certify your achievements
The toolkit is primarily designed for SMEs looking for support in managing their carbon footprints, and could improve confidence when making a start. Larger businesses may also find the toolkit helpful in understanding the requirements placed upon their suppliers. This information may be passed along to partners, improving the sustainability of supply chains overall.
Download the free toolkit here.