Largest UK firms will be forced to publish net-zero strategies
The UK’s largest firms and financial institutions will soon have to publish strategies on how they will transition to net-zero by 2050 under plans announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The commitment has been delivered through the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and will see 50 firms based in 45 countries come under the…
Over 100 energy saving recommendations made so far
The Energy Solutions Oxfordshire team have been busy helping businesses across the county better understand how they could be making improvements to their buildings, saving them money on their energy bills, and cutting their carbon emissions. In the last year we have made over 100 recommendations of energy saving measures, to 20 organisations. Together these…
Companies bidding for company contracts now need zero carbon strategy
In September, it was announced that any companies wishing to bid for government contracts worth over £5 m a year must have a 2050 net zero strategy. The move is a global first to put this condition in place and it’s thought the change will motivate more businesses to take action in reducing their impact…
SMEs could lead our net zero transition
A new report from Natwest bank states that the UK’s six million SMEs could achieve 50% of the country’s net zero decarbonisation goals given the right support, funding and knowledge to do so. You might also like…
86 businesses sign up to The Climate Pledge to cut emissions by 2040 at the latest
Amazon co-created the Climate Pledge with Global Optimism in 2019, following pressure to do more for the environment. The Pledge requires signatories to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 at the latest. It also wants to ensure that organisations don’t over rely on offsetting. Instead, there is a requirement for businesses to prioritise energy efficiency, renewable…
Dispelling heat pump myths: what to expect when you install a heat pump for your workplace
Heat pumps are growing in popularity as an efficient and low carbon way to heat buildings, a viable alternative to fossil fuel boilers. However, they’re still fairly new technology, and there are several myths out there about what it’s like to have a heat pump as the heating system for a workplace. In this post,…
Should your business switch to electric cars or vans?
If your business uses cars or vans, one way to reduce your environmental impact could be to swap to electric vehicles. As well as the reduced carbon emissions, your business may also be able to access grant funding to do this. Simply Business have published an article covering everything you need to know about moving…
9 out of 10 small businesses have no idea of their environmental impact
Research published this week by the British Chambers of Commerce based on a survey of 1,000 UK small businesses reveals that only one in ten (11%) are measuring their carbon footprint. Furthermore, only one in seven (13%) have set targets to reduce their emissions. Almost two thirds (64%) of businesses surveyed say they don’t see net zero targets as a high priority after the…
UK’s green economy is four times larger than the manufacturing sector
According to newly released report ‘Where we were, where we are, and where we’re going’ published by kMatrix the UK’s low carbon economy is worth more than £200bn, four times the size of the manufacturing sector (worth £55.6bn), with growth expected to accelerate in the coming years. Stay up-to-date with the latest news The Sparks…