We all know that reducing your carbon footprint is good for the planet, but it is also good for business.

Lowering your energy use reduces operating costs and being seen to take net zero carbon targets seriously improves your reputation with customers and suppliers, who are as interested in a company’s approach to the planet as they are in their products and services. Which is excellent news for eco-minded entrepreneurs!

There are many ways in which companies can be more environmentally friendly and at South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) the Business Support team are here to help guide and advise you.

It may be that you want to reduce your carbon footprint, need advice on minimising waste and increasing recycling, or explore new green technologies and practices, or perhaps you’re looking for training or sources of funding to improve your energy efficiency.

Greener businesses may use sustainable materials to make their products and also aim to use as little water, energy and raw materials as possible while cutting carbon emissions. But what about the businesses up and down their supply chain – how can they be sure about their suppliers and the companies they supply to?

mpu1

And while it’s important for businesses to do the right thing, being seen to do the right thing can improve reputations, helping to win more business especially for larger contracts where sustainability and social value is a key deciding factor. The team can help advise you how to market your green credentials.

Whatever their size or the sector they operate in, companies living their values build trust with staff, customers, and investors, often leading to increased profitability, stronger financial performance, enhanced reputation, and happier employees.

The district council is proud to be green to its core and encourages businesses in the region to reduce their carbon and increase their sustainability through recycling and waste management, energy saving and water reduction schemes.

A wide range of resources are available to help reduce costs and improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of your business. Some ideas include:

– The SCDC Climate Emergency Toolkit has lots of advice and guidance to help businesses, communities and individuals reduce their energy use, waste and carbon emissions

-The Allia Future Business Centre Allia Future Business Centre runs free business support programmes to help entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground, help start-ups to grow and scale, and help ventures to create positive impact in social and environmental innovation

– Cambridge Carbon Footprint offers a range of advice and resources to support businesses to shift move towards net zero

mpu2

– The Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership’s Centre for Business Transformation develops new thinking and solutions to enable business to play a transformative role towards a sustainable economy

– The Chambers of Commerce Net Zero Hub signposts businesses to free online resources such as practical guides, tools and real-life insights to help accelerate your net zero journey and improve energy efficiency

– The FSB sustainability hub is regularly updated with the latest resources, tools and information to help small businesses prepare for changes, go green and be more sustainable

– The Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Commercial team is your local partner to help you with all your recycling and waste needs. Their aim is to help businesses save money from the unavoidable production of rubbish, recycle as much as possible and their impact on the environment by making greener choices

– Investors in the Environment is a national environmental accreditation scheme. It is designed to help organisations save time and money, reduce their impact on the environment, and get promoted for their green credentials

– PECT is an environmental charity that aims to make places better for people and the planet. They provide a range of information, including funding sources for sustainable projects

– Planet Mark is a business certification that recognises commitment to continuous improvement; measuring and reducing a business’ carbon emissions, energy and water consumption, travel and waste

– The UK Business Climate Hub is a government partnership with businesses and climate groups helping businesses commit to cutting their carbon emissions in half by 2030 and reach ‘net zero’ by 2050

– The government’s waste and environmental impact pages provide advice and tools to help businesses comply with legislation and regulations

– The team has information about some low carbon grants on our grants and funding page.

Whether your business is just starting its net zero journey or you want inspiration to become even more environmentally friendly, email the team on OpenForBusiness@scambs.gov.uk.

South Cambridgeshire District Council is sponsoring the Sustainability Award at the 2023 Cambridge Independent SME Cambridgeshire Business Awards.