I help demystify sustainability for SMEs so that they can prepare realistic but ambitious sustainability policies and strategies.
It has long been understood that we need to take collective climate action. Large corporations have teams dedicated to collecting and analysing data and implementing complex strategies full of technical language. Furthermore, the climate impact of the larger organisations is much more visible which inadvertently puts pressure on them to show willing.
SMEs face different challenges to large corporations – particularly around their operations. Many SME owners are likely to have the desire to decarbonise their operations but lack the education and resources to do so. SMEs are under increasing pressure to contribute to climate change and are reaching a point where ignorance will no longer be an excuse.
Rather than waiting until the pressure becomes prohibitive to progression (as opposed to conducive), I can help to demystify sustainability and create a policy and plan that is meaningful, realistic. A policy that will foster credibility with your customers, garner buy in from your team and most importantly reduce your impact on the environment.
How?
Education – we’ll take you through the key opportunities for decarbonisation: buildings, transportation, energy use and waste management. We’ll also demystify sustainability buzz words e.g., emissions, air quality, climate change, Scope 1 2 and 3
Establishing identity – We will map/document the sustainability activity you are currently undertaking, reframing your understanding of the part you play.
Establishing potential – both short term and long term. We will determine which behaviours are within reach and which need some a little more time, resource and effort to get to.
Outputs
A sustainability policy – this is the standard you hold yourself to. This document will set out an understanding an intention that is personal to your organisation. It’s your sustainability calling card.
Sustainability strategy – your roadmap to achieving your sustainability ambitions. This sets out where you are, where you want to get to, how you intend to get there and when you will do it.
This will also link to a wider sustainability programme or standard – this can be as broad as the SDGs, or closer to home such as your local council’s sustainability strategic pillars. Or both. Either way, this is your proof that your efforts are not arbitrary – they contribute to wider effort in a quantifiable way.