Climate
change is a significant concern being addressed globally, nationally and locally
and something
that we can no longer ignore. The UK government recently passed legislation
which introduced the world’s first long term legally binding framework to
tackle the dangers of climate change. The UK Climate Change Act 2008 sets
legally binding emission reduction targets for 2020 (reduction of 34% in
greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels) and for 2050 (reduction of at least
80% in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels), and introduces five-yearly
carbon budgets to help ensure those targets are met.
“The economic consequences of a warming world will be severe, but
there's still time to lessen them”
Jonathon Porritt, Forum for the Future
Not just
for Big Business…
With such
big targets to meet, small and medium businesses (SME’s) may be thinking how
can their business contribute to such reductions? SMEs represent a high
proportion of business activity and innovation
in the UK with
private sector SMEs accounting for 99.9 per cent of the estimated 4.8 million
businesses in the UK. Collectively SME’s can make a huge contribution to the
reduction of the UKs carbon footprint.
·
·There are an
estimated 4.8 million businesses in the UK
·
SMEs
account for 99.9% of all private sector businesses in the UK
Department for Innovation and Skills
With an ever increasing focus on corporate social responsibility,
clients often require businesses to demonstrate they are minimising the
negative effects of their operations on the environment. Consumers are becoming
more conscious of their purchasing decisions with regard to environmental
impact and this is also driving the demand for greener business practices. It’s
not just the environmental climate that is changing but the business one too.
Early adopters that take action now will enable their business to gain
competitive edge in their market sectors. One only needs to look at the success
of Marks & Spencer’s ‘Plan A’ to see how business can reap the
benefits of reducing their environmental impact. The benefits of taking early
action, such as reducing energy consumption in buildings to reduce emissions to
combat climate change, far outweigh the costs.
“For UK
business, climate change is no longer a threat to be feared but an opportunity to
grow the economy and lead the world. The CBI has long promoted the benefits of
business energy efficiency in reducing carbon emissions, improving energy
security and providing bottom line benefits”
CBI Website, 2013
So we all know we should be doing that little bit
more but many are unsure of how to go about it. Calderdale Council in
collaboration with Leeds Metropolitan University and Room4 Consulting are
holding a FREE event Reducing your Environmental Impact”
to help SMEs in the area reduce their environmental impact. In addition the
council have also set up “The Business Energy Pledge” (aimed
at all business big or small in the Calderdale area), which is a
free accreditation and advice scheme for businesses and organisations.
Why Attend/Join?
In line with the national aim, Calderdale has a
target of reducing emissions of CO2 by 40% by 2020. Both of these
initiatives are an opportunity for businesses to contribute to that aim whilst
improving profitability.
Two
previous seminars for Reducing your Environmental Impact have already taken
place both of which were highly successful with those who attended very happy
with the support provided.
“Informative and extremely useful”
“Very informative. It has raised awareness of
environmental impacts at work and is helping our management planning for
environmental issues”
“An
excellent summary on how to reduce environmental impacts”
Take this opportunity to start reducing your
environmental impact now and in addition make your business more profitable and
sustainable in the long run. As the well known saying goes “every little
helps…”.
For details
of the events and to register your free place click here:
North West Construction Hub – With the High Value Band procurement
expected to launch this Autumn, the Medium and Low value bands will follow
close behind. Contact us now to see how
to get your business and bids Framework ready. 
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