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New climate disclosure framework launched to help SMEs on road to net-zero
CDP and the SME Climate Hub have launched a new framework to help SMEs measure, report and reduce their climate impacts, amid growing concerns that they are facing numerous decarbonisation barriers that do not impact large firms as much.
HSBC UK launches £500m green fund for SMEs
UK banking giant has launched a new £500m green funding initiative to help small and medium-sized businesses decarbonise and invest in green initiatives.
Report: $100trn needed to get global supply chains to net-zero and up to half must go to SMEs
Up to half of the estimated $100trn investment needed to get global supply chains to net-zero by 2050 will need to go to SMEs, a new analysis from HSBC and Boston Consulting Group has concluded.
Survey: Three-quarters of UK SMEs without credible plans to reduce emissions
UK-based small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will need far more support to decarbonise, lest the nation risk missing its net-zero target, a new survey has revealed.
NatWest promises £100bn for climate and sustainability by 2025, with SME focus
Banking giant NatWest Group has pledged to provide £100bn of climate and sustainable funding and financing by the end of 2025, after surpassing its previous ambition in this field.
UK's retrofit industry must grow by ten times to play role in reaching net-zero
The UK's retrofitting industry needs to grow by ten times its current size if the UK is to decarbonise its housing stock at a pace suitable for the wider net-zero emissions target, new research has revealed.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet small business champions Crystal Doors
With the entry deadline for edie's 2022 Sustainability Leaders Awards approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of previous winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: Our Small Business of the Year, Crystal Doors.
New online hub to help UK's independent retailers become more sustainable
After much recent research concluding that UK-based small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are struggling to improve their environmental credentials, the Retail Sector Council (RSC) has launched a new digital hub offering practical advice.
COP26 Action Tracker: Nations urged to respond to IPCC report as Cambo oilfield row rolls on
With less than 100 days to go until COP26, this new series from edie will provide a regular temperature check of global climate action from nations and businesses.
Just one in ten UK SMEs measuring their carbon emissions, survey finds
A poll of more than 1,000 UK-based small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) has found that just one in ten are measuring the carbon footprint of their operations, with many unsure of how to start climate action in the wake of Covid-19.
How can we accelerate the circular economy transition? Here are 5 top tips
With COP26 on the horizon and the economic recovery from Covid-19 continuing, much has been said in recent weeks about the climate and social benefits of the circular economy. But how can businesses and public sector organisations help accelerate the transition away from taking, making and disposing?
Survey: 4 in 10 UK SMEs unsure how to prepare for net-zero
A survey of decision-makers at more than 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK has found that four in 10 are unsure of how the Government's commitment to net-zero by 2050 will affect them.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges UK SMEs to make net-zero commitments
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued a rallying call to the UK's small and medium-sized (SME) businesses to make small steps to reduce emissions and contribute to the UK's net-zero target for 2050.
Sustainable Business Covered Podcast: Marking Fashion Revolution Week 2021
In episode 100 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast, senior reporter Sarah George delivers three exclusive interviews with sustainable and ethical SMEs to mark Fashion Revolution Week.
New coalition to help UK SMEs align with net-zero amid Covid-19 recovery
After research revealing that most UK SMEs face challenges relating to jargon and finance in the low-carbon transition, a new initiative has been launched to offer support.
'Another vital step to net-zero': Green economy reacts to the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy
The UK Government has unveiled a new Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy that will spur rapid decarbonisation across industry, the public sector, construction and manufacturing. But do green groups believe the strategy will put the nation on course for net-zero by 2050?
What does sustainable business leadership look like in 2021? edie publishes results of flagship survey
edie has today published a comprehensive report breaking down exactly what 'business leadership' looks like as the UK strives to build back from the coronavirus pandemic through a green recovery focused on low-carbon ambitions and a just transition.
In numbers: How prepared are UK businesses for the net-zero transition?
The UK Government's 2050 net-zero target is legally binding, meaning that businesses of all sizes and sectors must accelerate decarbonisation efforts. But two new major surveys have highlighted major challenges for the private sector. Here, edie rounds up the key findings.
6 in 10 UK SMEs believe net-zero and the green recovery is good for business
Almost two-thirds (61%) of small and medium-sized businesses in Britain believe that the move to a greener economy post-Covid-19 presents positive opportunities, a new poll of more than 500 SMEs has found.
Paul Polman: Why partnerships and purpose are critical to business survival
EXCLUSIVE: Businesses that are built on longer-term, multi-stakeholder models and have a strong purpose at their core will be much better placed to recover from the coronavirus crisis, Unilever's former chief executive Paul Polman has told edie.
In charts: How coronavirus is impacting sustainability professionals across the UK
EXCLUSIVE: An edie survey of more than 100 sustainability professionals across the country has revealed exactly how the global pandemic of Covid-19 has impacted day-to-day working for those leading the CSR agenda for their organisations. Here are the results...
SMEs and households to benefit from energy efficiency clean technology trials
The UK Government has backed a new digital energy efficiency platform for SMEs to receive automated advice to save energy, in the same week that a smart homes project that uses AI technology on hot water systems to generate storage capacity and manage grid demand commenced.
Report: One in five UK businesses not motivated by environmental impact of plastics
Keep Britain Tidy and Brita UK have called on UK businesses to explore behaviour change and staff engagement initiatives to accelerate action on single-use plastics, after their survey found that 20% of businesses are 'not at all' motivated by the environmental impacts of the plastics they use.
UK SMEs aiming to ramp up sustainability actions
Almost two-thirds of UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have signalled their intentions to improve environmental sustainability practices due to heightened consumer awareness and new legislation, according to a new survey.
Net-zero cities: Bristol's mission to be carbon-neutral by 2030
Launched as part of edie's Net-Zero November campaign, this new mini-series explores how local authorities are collaborating with businesses to actuate community-centred sustainability schemes on the road to net-zero emissions. We begin with a look at Bristol City Council's commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the Government's 2050 deadline.
Survey: Almost half of UK SMEs failing to act on single-use plastics
A major survey of more than 1,000 UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) has found while the majority of businesses understand the importance of reducing single-use plastics, 40% are yet to carry out basic measures to reduce plastic waste.
HSBC to support UK businesses with green finance offerings
One day after the Government launched its Green Finance Strategy, banking giant HSBC has launched a new range of green finance services aimed at helping businesses of all sizes strengthen sustainability initiatives.
Carbon Credentials to cut Scope 3 emissions through approved science-based target
Energy and carbon management company Carbon Credentials is ready to walk the walk on climate goals, after having new targets to reduce Scope 3 value chain emissions approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Extinction Rebellion: Role of business in society is being defined by climate change
As thousands of climate protestors continue to blockade key London landmarks as part of the Extinction Rebellion protests, businesses have been warned that action or inaction to combat climate change will define their role in future societies.
Energy Catapult launches SME support for low carbon heating and cooling
A new programme has been launched by the government's Energy Systems Catapult centre to assist small and medium sized businesses (SME) develop low carbon heating and cooling.
