UK Business Climate Hub helps businesses save money and go green

British businesses can now access advice and support to reduce their energy bills while cutting their carbon emissions.

The UK Business Climate Hub includes a free carbon calculator and a suite of new tools to help businesses measure, track, and report on their emissions and save money by using less energy. It 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.

Research suggests that such measures can save companies on their overheads. For example:

• switching to EVs can not only cut running costs but also lower servicing and maintenance costs by around 40% compared to petrol or diesel cars;
• with up to half of companies’ overall electricity bill coming from lighting, making changes such as switching to LED bulbs can help shave up to 40% off bills; and
• giving drivers fuel efficiency training can help save companies an average of 15% on fuel use and carbon emissions in transporting goods.

The new support is aimed particularly at 5.5 million small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK, with business and industry accounting for around 25% of emissions. Research shows that 90% of SMEs are keen to tackle climate change but find it difficult to know how or where to start to find the right solutions to reduce their carbon footprint. The UK Business Climate Hub includes details of how to find and apply for business grants, green loans and financing for retrofit improvements.

Studies also show 85% of consumers are more likely to buy from a business with a reputation for sustainability, meaning going green can help grow a business as well as the economy. As a result, the The UK Business Climate Hub’s ability to support businesses in getting low-carbon product labels and certifications could be helpful.