Practical Sustainability Training for SMEs
Thanks to positive action, UK carbon emissions have fallen by 50% since 1990. Sustainability for small businesses has a huge role to play in reaching net zero – find out more with our Small 99 Action Box.
Who is the Small 99 Action Box workshop designed for?
It’s ideal for small businesses concerned about sustainability but short on time. The 90 minute interactive workshop is designed to slot into a busy SME schedule.
Small 99 Action Box offers practical, manageable steps to lower the carbon footprint of your business and introduce an ESG framework. Its actionable advice can be carried out quickly and at minimal cost, making it achievable for all small to medium business owners.
Perfect for small businesses
This practical hands-on session is designed to help SMEs build an ESG framework from scratch.
Over 90 minutes, you’ll receive an Action Box filled with cards, covering six essential business aspects: energy, transportation, waste management, supply chain, water and operations.
Essential tools for sustainability
This isn’t just about sustainability for small businesses – it’s about making your SME a sustainability leader within a future low-carbon economy.
DecarbonEaser’s workshop gives you all the tools to understand your emissions, build a strategy and start making changes to help the planet and your business.
How does the Small 99 Action Box work?
At our the Small 99 Action Box workshop, participants identify and review their organisation’s carbon emissions, before sharing actionable ideas on how to reduce them. During the session, you will map out practical steps across six key areas, sharing ideas with others and building local connections, to drive impactful change. As well as cutting emissions, this process will strengthen your brand and lower your operational costs.
Activity Structure
- Uncover the biggest sources of carbon emissions at your SME
- Explore the most impactful ideas to reduce these emissions
- Identify what has been done and what could be done – now or in the future – to reduce your business’s carbon footprint
- Share ideas with other participants and together find ways to turn ideas into action
Workshop conditions
- 10 people max. from various businesses
- Sharing their own sustainability journeys and building connections
- 90 min workshop usually followed by 30 min networking
Key Modules covered
- Understanding your SME’s six areas of emissions
- Mapping out a practical and personalised action plan to reduce emissions
- Sharing personal experiences, considering potential hurdles and building valuable connections
- Understanding the importance of storytelling in communicating your business’s sustainability achievements
Stories from Participants: Engaging with the Carbon Reduction Action Box
Context:
Nick Lancaster is a dedicated Economic Development professional with a passion for sustainable growth. Currently serving as an Economic Development Officer, he leverages his background in marketing and commercial property to provide strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and creative problem-solving solutions aimed at growing the region’s GVA. Nick has been working in sustainability for five years, focusing on impactful initiatives that balance economic development with environmental responsibility.
What Nick says about his experience:
‘At East Cambridgeshire District Council, we are committed to delivering on our sustainability goals while supporting our community and local businesses in the transition to a greener future.
The Carbon Reduction Action Box has been a game-changer for us. Its innovative approach makes carbon reduction accessible and actionable, equipping us with the tools to identify impactful steps that align with our net-zero ambitions. The simplicity of the process, combined with its data-driven insights, allows us to prioritize efforts effectively without overwhelming resources. The process was expertly run by Jim, whose guidance and support ensured everything went smoothly. His knowledge and enthusiasm brought the project to life, empowering our teams to take ownership and work together more effectively.
We are confident that the Action Box will help us drive progress in reducing emissions across key areas, while strengthening our role as a leader in community climate action.
We highly recommend the Carbon Reduction Action Box to any organization aiming to take meaningful, measurable strides in their sustainability journey.
Key Figures about the Small 99 Action Box workshop
50.8%
Share of England’s carbon emissions created by food and transport
16%
Percentage of methane within total global greenhouse emissions
From 4 to 2 tons
The carbon footprint reduction we need to reach by 2050
Key takeaways for businesses
Discover green business savings
During the Small 99 Action Box, we’ll dive into your operations and pinpoint all the ways you can cut costs by incorporating ESG into your business plan. You’ll learn how reducing waste lowers your business’s carbon footprint and saves you money. It’s a win-win!
Tell your SME’s sustainability story
Embracing ESG and reducing your business’s carbon footprint is the first step to setting your brand apart as a sustainability leader in your field. the Small 99 Action Box will help you craft a sustainability story that connects with your target customers.
Create an Actionable ESG Strategy
DecarbonEaser will help you build a simple, achievable plan to make your SME more sustainable. Together we can lay out your path towards big environmental goals, by taking small steps, one at a time and measuring your progress as you go.
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FAQ
What is the Small 99 Action Box initiative?
The Small 99 Action Box initiative is all about making smarter choices to lower fuel use and emissions from vehicles. It focuses on two main areas: First, we’re cutting down the total fuel consumption. How? By improving fuel efficiency, easing traffic jams, and encouraging folks to use more fuel-efficient ways of getting around, like public transport, biking, or walking. Second, we’re shifting gears towards low or zero-emission fuels. This means getting more electric vehicles on the road, which don’t have tailpipe emissions, helping us to clean up the air, while cutting down on carbon.
What is the carbon reduction scheme in the UK?
The UK’s carbon reduction scheme, part of its ambitious sixth Carbon Budget, aims to cut 1990 level emissions by 78%, by 2035. This ambitious target is bolstered by legal commitments to reach net zero by 2050, with policies across energy, industry and transportation supporting this goal. These measures include big advances in renewable energy generation and investments in green technologies, positioning the UK as a leader in global climate action.
How can small businesses reduce their carbon footprints?
- Regular Maintenance: Keep equipment well maintained to ensure optimal energy use and longevity.
- Conserve Water: Implement water-saving practices to reduce usage and lower your environmental impact.
- Embrace Recycling: Develop a comprehensive recycling program for waste materials.
- Choose Sustainable Vendors: Partner with suppliers who prioritise sustainability in their operations.
- Favour Virtual Meetings: Reduce travel by holding meetings online whenever possible.
- Promote Public Transport: Encourage your employees to use public transport, biking, or walking.
- Opt for Green Energy and Equipment: Select energy-efficient office equipment and green energy sources.
- Buy Second-Hand Furniture: Consider purchasing pre-owned furniture to reduce waste and demand for new resources.
- Engage in Carbon Offsetting: Invest in carbon offset projects to compensate for unavoidable emissions.