Accessing Sustainable Practices as a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME)
This blog post has been produced for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce as part of the 2023 Sustainable Business Series. The Sustainable Business Series seeks to help local firms understand the role that they play in progressing to net zero, as well as the opportunities and challenges that may arise from the net-zero transition. Through an expansive range of blogs, webinars, events and Q&A’s, the Sustainable Business Series offers useful information to businesses interested in adopting a sustainable business approach. Thank you to the Headline Sponsors, of the Sustainable Business Series campaign, University College Birmingham and Lloyds Bank. Click here to register for Sustainable Business Series events and webinars.
Carbon footprint: it’s a phrase that is usually associated with large organisations and enterprises but with SMEs dominating 99% of the UK’s private sector, the impact that these businesses can have on sustainability should not be overlooked. Adopting sustainable practices not only reduce costs in the long term, but also diminishes risk and create opportunity.
As consumers increasingly assess the products they buy or the relationships they have with suppliers, one factor that can sway their decision-making process is through their corporate social responsibility activities.
However, as the leader of an SME, the prospect of running a business to profit, whilst valuing employees and offering attractive working conditions, can seem a challenge when faced alone.
Trying to do this and thinking about how your business can reduce its impact, as well as contribute positively to your local community can be a daunting task.
Here are four top tips to help get you started:
- TIME: Allocate time either for yourself or a passionate colleague to work on sustainability in your SME, your “sustainability champion” if you will.
- FIND A COMMUNITY Feed your/their passion and go to sustainability events in your field, almost all are free! This will also help you meet like-minded individuals and grow your knowledge.
- GUT INSTINCT Trust your gut, the likelihood is, if you are already interested in climate change and sustainability then you have a pretty good sense of what might work and might not. You know your business well and if something is obvious to you – do it!
- SHARE: A sustainable organisation is driven by a shift in mindset which is developed over time and each day will become more encouraging. Never hesitate to share your progress with your team.
Did you know?
- The below areas will affect your carbon footprint more than you would think
- Your bank and pension provider and their investment portfolio
- Your website, its content and who hosts it
- Sustainability isn’t JUST climate change or environmental – it also includes good health and wellbeing, education, reduced inequalities, partnerships and much more. The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a good representation of just how intrinsic sustainability is to all areas of work and life.
But remember:
- There are thousands are businesses doing this alongside you – find your community (ies); find your people.
- Starting somewhere is better than doing nothing – YES those plastic cups you stopped buying DO make a difference.
- Sustainable practices don’t have to be a money pit – there are an exhaustive number of free resources and courses to help you on your way.
Trying to play your part as an SME doesn’t have to be an impossible task, making small changes goes a long way.
Ashlea Mallett
Sustainability Manager
University College Birmingham
* Home | Sustainable Development (un.org)
Resources
Do:
Carbon Literacy Training (wmca.org.uk)
Green Advantage | Aston University
Professional Certificate Qualification: Sustainability Managers & Practitioners - BEC Leaps
Sign up to:
Small99 Hero - Free Carbon Reduction Plan for Your Business
Home - Net Zero Pledge (wmnetzeropledge.org.uk)
Go to:
Sustainable Business Series | Research & Campaigning | GBCC (greaterbirminghamchambers.com)
People, Planet, Pint: Sustainability Meetup - Small99