SME Climate Hub
The SME Climate Hub is a global initiative aiming to mainstream climate action within small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs), helping them become more sustainable and securing them by building resilience for the future.
When it comes to carbon emissions, there are two types: Operational carbon and Embodied carbon. Operational carbon emissions are those caused by the energy consumed by building-integrated technical systems during the operation of the building. Whereas Embodied carbon emissions are produced when making building materials, their transport and installation on-site as well as their eventual disposal.
To achieve Net Zero Carbon, when it comes to either of these emission types, a reduction in demand and carbon-intensive materials are both the first steps needed to take to start reducing emissions. These will gradually lead to offsets in emissions, so the carbon produced is being absorbed rather than let out into the atmosphere.
When committing to something such as this pledge, the three steps any business must take to comply with the SME Climate Hub's goals are as follows:
- Halve our greenhouse gas emissions before 2030
- Achieve net-zero emissions before 2050
- Disclose our progress on a yearly basis
How this all works is by commitment and actions being made, with guides and support included within the Hub, making the transition to the final goal of net-zero emissions more reachable before 2050.
This initiative was put in place along with the COP26 conference with more and more small to medium businesses taking the pledge and focusing all their efforts on the goals for 2030 and 2050.
It all works by firstly signing the commitment and taking it as a new responsibility for the company, with plans forming on how to halve emissions by 2030. Once committed to going forward, free tools for climate education, measurement, and reporting will be provided, or some can be browsed before agreeing to it. Support is the main benefit from this promise, and it is widely available, so achieving all the requirements set out has never been easier.
Among large supply chain leaders, the 1.5°C ambition set out during COP26 is still very much a target. With these leaders already making changes, they are setting an example for ensuring that the world does not heat up by more than 1.5°C, as this will prevent major issues with countries experiencing devastating and permanent weather changes.
Race To Zero is a global campaign that aims 'to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery'. Which will, as a result, prevent 'future threats', create new jobs and unlock inclusive, sustainable growth.
Within the tools for achieving the goals set out, a Playbook has been developed for all to align with the plan to reduce their carbon emissions, focusing on simplicity and speed. A roadmap that includes halving emissions in 2030, reducing them to a quarter by 2040 and hopefully maintaining zero emissions in 2050, means we will all have to work together to ensure we can achieve these goals.
A four-pillar climate strategy is needed for a company to address its plans, this includes, the first pillar focuses on the company's activities to reduce its own emissions, while the second pillar focuses on the company's value chain emissions. The third pillar is regarding the company's vision, strategy, value proposition, products, and services with the 1.5°C ambition. This means prioritising products and services that enable the reduction and removal of customer and societal emissions. While, lastly, the fourth pillar exceeds the company and aims to influence partnering companies, perhaps, or by supporting industry initiatives.
When making progress with this commitment, it is crucial to report on progress, so the SME business hub knows a business is taking it seriously and focusing on making a change. This can easily be done every month or every so often, reporting any new ways a company has gone to reduce their emissions. Which, as a result, will help in boosting the position of the business as a relevant and serious climate leader, who is showing its audience that they are fully aware of their impacts on the climate and making a difference.
We are proud to be part of this inititative and our team that are putting plans in place for internal changes, but equally important we're also looking forward to supporting our clients in their own environmental improvements in aspects such as increasing efficiency and reducing demand to help push their buildings towards Net Zero.