The UK Business Climate Hub launched on August 14th, providing small and medium enterprises with tools to cut energy costs and carbon emissions
Following continued lobbying from the British Beauty Council, and other sector-specific organisations, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has created a digital resource to help businesses cut energy costs and consumption across their supply chains.
According to a statement from the Government, the UK Business Climate Hub ‘offers detailed advice on everything from sourcing products from green suppliers and reducing emissions from freight and logistics to the most cost-effective ways of installing solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging points’.
The British Beauty Council has been calling for the creation of this business tool, and has worked with the government to ensure the content is suitable for beauty brands. It has consulted on the platform, and has connected DESNZ with key beauty stakeholders to ensure their needs are met.
Research shows that 90% of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change, and we know that this is particularly true for beauty businesses. The ‘Courage to Change’ cites that investments in sustainability-based strategies grew by 6,417% between 2015 and 2018, and have undoubtedly only increased since.
On the launch of the platform Victoria Brownlie, Chief Policy Officer at the British Beauty Council, says: ‘We are pleased to see that the government is working to ensure small and medium beauty businesses are able to cut energy costs, particularly because our sector is not eligible for the Energy Bills Relief Scheme.
‘However, there is still work to be done to ensure that beauty’s small and medium businesses receive the support that they need. Often, small beauty businesses are unable to unlock the capital needed to implement more cost and planet-effective strategies. The Council will be working closely with DESNZ throughout the next phase of its strategy to ensure that increased support is funnelled to the businesses that need it.’
Knowing that the number of SMEs in the beauty industry is growing at an unprecedented rate – there are 46% more SMEs with between zero and four employees in 2022 than in 2015 (Value of Beauty, 2023) – the British Beauty Council recognises that the UK Business Climate Hub is a great first step in helping businesses reduce costs and emissions through its free carbon calculator, information about renewable energy, and more.
‘More and more businesses are recognising the business benefits of reaching net zero and we’re determined to empower them to do so. The new UK Business Climate Hub is a one-stop-shop for businesses to find practical advice to reduce their carbon footprint and save on their energy bills,’ said the Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ), Graham Stuart.
He continues: ‘Whether it’s fitting a low-carbon heat pump, generating energy with solar panels, or reducing the emissions from shipping goods, the new support will ensure businesses can drive towards net zero.’
Head to the UK Business Climate Hub to find out more about:
- switching employee modes of transport and paying less for company EVs
- getting business grants, green loans and financing for a retrofit
- getting an air source heat pump
- generating green energy with a wind turbine and selling it back to the grid
- reducing emissions from farming and land use
- buying credible carbon offsets
- getting low-carbon product labels and certifications
- reducing waste and recycling more
