Intelligent SME.tech Issue 29 | Page 20

? EDITOR ’ S QUESTION //

ET ZERO IS a priority for

N many governments across the globe . Being net zero means adding no more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than the amount you ’ re taking out . In the UK , the government wants the economy to meet net zero targets by 2050 . Its net zero strategy sets policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy .

Net zero strategies aim to slow down and limit global warming , which is contributing towards climate change and causing shifts in temperatures and weather patterns .
It may seem a daunting prospect , but it perhaps doesn ’ t need to be , as laid out by our three experts . If SMEs can break down what they need to do and address it in bitesize chunks , then the task doesn ’ t seem as overwhelming as once thought . And with consumers choosing businesses which have green credentials , it is not only good for the planet , but also good for business .
There are many resources online to help companies start or continue their net zero journey . One website , zerocarbonbusiness . uk , takes readers through the process in a step-by-step guide . Immediate steps it suggests are to monitor your energy usage , install a smart meter , switch off a default energy tariff and shop around , set your heat lower and avoid overcooling . These are just a handful of suggestions but there are many more options to consider .
The SME Climate Hub is a non-profit global initiative that empowers SMEs to take climate action and build resilient businesses for the future . SMEs are invited to commit to the pledge to act by completing the commitment to halve emissions by 2030 , achieve net zero by 2050 and report on their progress yearly . The hub offers free tools and resources to take action .
And in the UK , for example , small- and medium-sized enterprises account for 99.9 % So , although it may seem like a mammoth of the private sector business population

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task , there is lots of help out there . Find out ( 5.6 million businesses ) which means that to more from our three experts on the following achieve the net zero target , SMEs need to be pages about how you can achieve net zero . fully onboard .
Every month , we pose Worldwide , SMEs represent about 90 % of industry experts a businesses and more than 50 % of employment . question pertinent to Governments across the globe need to make the issues of the day . sure that SMEs know how to reduce their This month . . . . carbon output and encourage participation .

HOW CAN SMES MEET NET ZERO TARGETS

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