Chamber holds net zero roundtable in partnership with Lloyds Bank

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) delivered a roundtable in partnership with Lloyds Bank this March, on understanding and meeting the Net Zero challenge.

Henrietta Brealey, CEO of GBCC chaired the event which was hosted alongside key stakeholders from Lloyds Bank including Rebekah Taitt (regional development director of the Midlands), Jack Etherton (relationship director) and Dalia Ahmed (relationship director).

Businesses from across the region, such as Right Digital Solutions and Enzen, were invited to discuss a range of issues associated with Net Zero, including understanding the key barriers faced by Greater Birmingham businesses and the opportunities associated with Net Zero.

They were also provided with the opportunity to highlight what support businesses required from regional and national governments to achieve Net Zero, at a time when businesses are feeling persistent pressures, in the form of inflation and high energy bills.

The roundtable was part of a series being conducted across the country as part of national research from the British Chambers of Commerce and Lloyds Bank. Earlier this year. The British Chambers of Commerce conducted a national survey of over 1,000 member businesses to help understand the skills and knowledge barriers faced by SMEs in meeting Net Zero. Key findings included:

• Fewer than one in 10 firms (9 per cent) fully understand what the Government 's 2050 Net Zero target means for them.
• Most firms (80 per cent) are taking action to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their efficiency.
• Those who have embraced changes cited cost savings and improved efficiency.
• Planning for future green skills to help businesses make the transition has taken a backseat.

Henrietta Brealey, CEO of the GBCC, commented “Bringing businesses together to share insight, learning and ideas is a fundamental part of what we do at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

"Our research specialists regularly conduct focus groups and roundtable discussions on topical themes and on behalf of partners. We were delighted to work with Lloyds Bank and the British Chambers of Commerce, on this discussion.

“The transition to net zero, and specifically understanding businesses ' priorities and needs within it, is something that all three of our organisations are passionate about.

"I 'd like to thank the Lloyds Bank representatives and the businesses that joined us for the discussion for the lively, and incredibly useful conversation. The themes that emerged will inform both this national research and the Chambers ' activity on net zero and environmental sustainability. ”