There is free support being offered to hundreds of small businesses across the borough wanting to lower their carbon emissions, after it was found many ‘want to’ but can’t afford to do so.
London Business Improvement District, Better Bankside has launched an initiative to offer a total of 160 small businesses (SMEs) the necessary help to decarbonise their business.
This comes after it was found there are barriers preventing them from taking climate action.
According to the SME Climate Hub, these barriers are causing an ‘Intention Gap’ – i.e. the lack of action from small businesses is not for lack of want, but a lack of skills, knowledge, funding and time.
SMEs currently account for an estimated 40 per cent of the UK’s non-domestic emissions, so the help is being offered to ensure they meet London’s 2030 net-zero targets.
The Southwark Climate Collective (SCC) will focus on reducing emissions in four areas: energy, waste, freight and supply chains.
The free, tailored sustainability support will allow them to take action in decarbonising their business operations and help prepare them for a low-carbon transition.
Decarbonisation pathways will be provided, and measurable targets set to stimulate action, while also enabling SMEs to procure ‘green’ low-carbon services, which in turn will stimulate the local green economy.
Nicole Gordon CEO of Better Bankside said, “[SMEs] want to do the right thing but often don’t have access to the tools, resources or technical expertise. Supporting business decarbonisation measures is critical to us achieving our wider climate objectives but can also play an important cost-saving and efficiency role in their day-to-day operations.”
The project has been funded by a £653,000 grant from the Mayor of London.
Small businesses in Southwark are being invited to apply here.