Getting started with sustainability

Seven great reasons for Hart businesses to 'go green'

Research shows that smaller businesses cause half of all business-driven emissions in the UK.

But the good news is that 94% of them have already taken at least one action to reduce their emissions. These range from improving insulation in their buildings to switching to electric delivery vehicles.

Hart has a lot of small and medium-sized businesses, so there’s plenty of opportunity to make a difference. But where to start?

Skill up

You or your employees might consider one of Hampshire County Council's Green Skills training modules. They're part of the government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee, and good for anyone who wants to gain professional knowledge in vital areas of sustainability. The three modules are:

The government’s British Business Bank lists seven ways in which businesses can benefit from reducing their emissions.

1. Attracting more eco-aware customers

If they see you’re making the effort to go green, some consumers may be motivated to spend more money on your company’s products. Who are these eco-aware consumers? Probably the kind of people who visit the Impact Hart website!

2. Having an environmentally friendly supply chain

If you meet environmental standards such as ISO 14001 or B Corp Certification you may find it easier to get on to approved supplier lists for government departments, local authorities and large companies. These customers are looking for suppliers with proven green credentials.

3. Recruiting and retaining staff

Almost 30% of employees check a company's sustainability practices before applying for a job. So green credentials might help you find the right staff.

They could also keep staff happy so they stay with you longer, according to research by Lloyds Bank.

4. Reducing waste and cutting operating costs

It’s surprising how often green actions are also cost-saving actions. For example, upgrading to low-emissions vehicles may help companies comply with low-pollution rules. So they won’t need to pay fees in clean air zones such as London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Switching to more sustainable packaging may cut costs by using fewer expensive materials and cutting energy costs.

5. Staying on the right side of the regulations

You could be fined and lose face with customers if you go against environmental regulations. New ones are coming out all the time, so it pays to make sure your business understands and follows them. For example, by 31 March 2025, if you employ 10 or more full-time staff, you’ll need to comply with the government’s new Simpler Recycling regulations.

6. Making your business more attractive to investors

According to the Confederation of British Industry, two-thirds of investors take green credentials into account when investing in a company.

7. Exercising the ‘innovation muscle’

You need imagination and energy to come up with new ideas to cut your carbon footprint. This is good practice for finding innovative ideas to grow your business. After all, the processes are similar.