How to get involved?
The small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Climate Commitment recognises that climate change poses a threat to the economy, nature and society-at-large.
The SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Climate Hub is part of the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign; it provides a one-stop-shop for SMEs to make a climate commitment and access best-in-class tools and resources. The tools and resources provide support in regards to measuring your emissions, developing your climate strategy, reducing your own emissions and the emissions in your value chain, and exemplify complementary offset projects.
SMEs can take action by signing up, and in doing so will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Join governments, businesses, cities, regions, and universities around the world that share the same mission.
How it works
Commit
You are ready to signal your commitment to and take your first steps towards halving your emissions before 2030 and striving to achieve net zero emissions before 2050.
Take Action
Once you have signed the SME Climate Commitment, start browsing tools and resources that have been tailored to support your efforts.
Access Incentives
By making the SME Climate Commitment, your business will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign, giving your business visibility in the community and with your clients. Financial and policy incentives coming soon!
Not ready to commit yet
Below you can find simple things that your business can do to start reducing its carbon footprint
Encourage sustainable travel
Use MyJourney Planner to plan a sustainable mode of travel ahead of time or have you thought about a travel scheme at work? Why not reward those who cycle or walk on their commute.
Create a living wall
Adding indoor foliage can improve air quality in what can often be a stale office environment. Go one step further and create a living wall like Southampton City Council have.
Turn it off
Every night, without question, turn all your appliances and equipment off. Not to standby, off. Apart from the fridge.
Check out British Gas’ blog on other ways to save energy in the workplace
Cut down on packaging
Get rid of elaborate waste. Consider outsourcing your product packaging and switching to a less wasteful supplier.
Check out either of the below resources to guide you on your way:
Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging
Explore WRAPs plastics and packaging research, tools and guidance
Stock Green
Try to use environmentally friendly products where possible. Take a hard look at what you are currently using – are your products recyclable? Are they harmful to the environment? Avoid non-materials such as petroleum bi-products and metal.
Opportunities for you to convert to environmentally friendly products and materials
Think Local
Reduce your transport footprint dramatically by converting to local suppliers. Not only is it good for the environment, it also adds a much needed boost to your local economy.
How do I find a manufacturer/supplier?
- Alibaba
- Free online directories
- Referrals
By combining compliance issues with energy efficient measures that conserve the earth’s resources, a business can become more efficient, and reduce their overall costs.
In an ever changing landscape and environment, making your business environmentally friendly has never been so important. Here we set out examples of the support that is available, how can you access funding and advice to help you adopt sustainable practices and become greener.
We set out our own commitment to improving the environmental well-being of the Solent in our Assurance Framework in section 2.4 – in it we state that we are committed to ensuring that our activity is sustainable.
The Solent is part of the South West Energy Hub set up in late 2018. They work with organisations and communities across the South West and the Solent region, to identify, develop and implement low carbon energy projects.