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Business sustainability

We can all do our bit to protect the planet, and that includes businesses small and large. It can be difficult to know where to start and if you’re on the right path when it comes to making sustainable decisions as a business.

The information below has been compiled to guide you and your business in your sustainable behaviours.

Calculating your businesses Carbon Emission (Carbon footprint)

Carbon Footprint.com provides online Carbon Calculators which is free for up to one building. Paid for support options are also available.

The Carbon Trust provides a free online SME Carbon Calculator.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has a Small Business User Guide which includes guidance on how to measure and report your greenhouse gas emissions.

The National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses (FSB)

FSB provides free online resources with small business owners embarking on a sustainability journey in mind.

Their free resources can be found on the sustainability knowledge sections of the FSB website. Some current suggested useful resources are:

Transition to net zero with the Zero Carbon Business Portal – Pre-Recorded Webinar

Green Tariffs: How to Cut Your Energy Consumption – Pre Recorded Webinar

How to save water in the workplace – Article

FSB regularly add new guides and resources to their website. You can keep up to date by subscribing to their newsletter.

You can also use the FSB Small Business Sustainability Hub to keep updated with the latest resources, tools and information to help your small business prepare for changes, go green and be more sustainable.

British Business Bank

The British Business Bank website includes guides to sustainability in business, and at the same time breaks down the jargon that can overwhelm people when they first begin their carbon reduction journey.

Topics include:

  • Learn what’s possible
  • Prepare for the change
  • Take Practical Action
  • Where to find support.

You can learn how to become a Net Zero Hero as a small business with six tips to make a positive impact on climate change.

UK Business Climate Hub

UK Business Climate Hub website has all the important information you need a business working towards sustainability. You can learn from resources and guides that are informative but easy to get to grips with.

The topics covered are:

SME Climate Hub

SME Climate Hub is a free resource but requires an initial commitment, which is a pledge to act by completing the commitment to halve emissions by 2030, achieve net zero by 2050, and report on your progress yearly.

If you choose to reduce your emissions through the SME Climate Hub, you will be counted in the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign which will allow you to partner with thousands of businesses and governments globally to reach net zero emissions by 2050 as well as gain access to a pool of free resources.

One of these resources is Climate Fit which has been developed by experts in the areas of business and sustainability, from The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and BSR, and is a free online training course to help SMEs reduce their carbon emissions

How it works:

  • Seven modules breaking the tasks down into achievable steps.
  • 20-30 minutes per module, this self-paced course is designed so you can set the pace.
  • Highly interactive, featuring videos, activities, and quizzes to assist your learning journey.
  • Learn from your peers, with case studies on other businesses who are leading the way on climate action
  • Set concrete actions, which you can take back to your business to effectively implement change.

Other Free Learning Resources

Free Courses England offer free courses accredited qualifications offer benefits for individuals and organisations from all backgrounds. You must meet the eligibility criteria for the courses.

Various business courses are available, of relevance to Sustainability and Environmental Management these include: