GETTING TO NET

ZERO IS A BIG TASK FOR EVEN SUSTAINABILITY PROFESSIONALS ,

SO IT ’ S EASY TO SEE HOW IT

CAN QUICKLY BECOME

OVERWHELMING FOR SMB LEADERS .

Start reporting on your impact

Measuring is the first step to accountability and action , but reporting is an important next step . Currently , only 8 % of SMBs report on their impact , which is a shame because reporting could open up new financial avenues , growth and employment opportunities for these businesses .

Reporting can seem overwhelming and complex , so SMBs should understand the most material topics for their industry sector and their stakeholders and start reporting on those metrics first . SMBs should also look to see what reporting is mandatory in their region and industry and prioritise that over others .

Which also brings me to my next point . . . .

Talk to your accountant

For many SMBs , their accountant is already a trusted advisor whose ability to capture and analyse a wide range of data keeps the business ticking . What SMBs may often forget is that their accountant may also be able to help them gather and report on non-financial data like their net zero targets . Accountants are now training in supporting the integration of sustainability strategies and targets into business plans , so if your accountant is qualified in this area , they can help ensure integrity of reporting , which is important both internally and externally .

Forget the jargon ; think about resilience

The net zero agenda is a jungle of hard to pronounce acronyms – from ESG to GHGs . Forget about the acronyms and labels , and instead , focus on resilience . Think about the risks and opportunities that your business is exposed to . If you are in the transport industry , you are probably already thinking about the impacts of the ban on diesel vehicles . If you are in the food and beverage , disruption in supply chains and changes in consumers preferences will hardly be something you have never thought about . It is likely that when you look at it through this lens , you will discover you were already thinking about your net zero agenda . Don ’ t let the jargon put you off .

Ask around and build community

Getting to net zero is a big task for even sustainability professionals , so it ’ s easy to see how it can quickly become overwhelming for SMB leaders . My advice to them is to remember that not only are there many resources out there to help them , but that there is a wide community of other leaders who are trying to solve the same problems as them – seek them out , learn and exchange ideas . It is why we started the Business Advice Hub , where our customers can talk to each other , and also why we offer Masterclass sessions for customers looking to learn more about certain topics like sustainability resilience .

Becoming more sustainable can often seem like a daunting task – even for a business with resources and know-how – and it can be more so for an SMB . But , by taking small , first steps , measuring progress and knowing they are not alone , SMBs can realise the powerful potential of not only future-proofing their business but also being agents of change towards a more sustainable world . �

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