Scottish Enterprise launches free online tool to develop a net zero plan for businesses

The national economic development agency has created a new tool to support businesses develop their own net zero plans.  

Businesses will be recommended improvements across five areas about how they can adapt and work towards developing a practical, data-led and people-focused net zero road map.    

Companies using the service can analyse their operation's current environmental impact, helping them set net zero targets while identifying chances to innovate their business. The tool also considers leadership and staff engagement on climate change, incorporating staff into their plan.  

The Office for National Statistics found that only 23 per cent of companies with over 250 employees have a climate change strategy, while the British Business Bank say only 9 per cent of SMEs in the UK measure their carbon footprint.  

But according to the Fraser of Allander Institute, Scottish businesses outrank the rest of the UK when it comes to having either committed to or achieved, net zero targets, at 59 per cent compared to 57 per cent.  

Scottish Enterprise says the feedback they got from businesses suggests that they are opting to become greener because of demand from consumers.  

Ian Carstairs, sustainability team leader at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scotland hosted COP26 in Glasgow last year, but we need to maintain the momentum and encourage action to further the economic and ecological advantage for Scotland.  

“We are supporting more businesses to reduce their environmental impact and have made great progress with a quarter of our projects in 2021/22 equating to over 3,250 green jobs and delivering a reduction of over 280,000 tonnes of CO2.  

“The free tool launching today will help more companies accelerate their journey to net zero as Scotland has huge potential in this area and we are fully committed to grasping the net zero opportunities that will deliver a just and fair economic transformation.”