Energy efficient small firms are key to closing Britain’s carbon gap
Over half of small business owners have made efforts to improve energy efficiency
Small businesses are crucial in making the UK more energy efficient, according to new research, but a lack of financial incentive has prevented almost half of small business owners from making changes to their company’s carbon footprint.
In its new The Price of Power? report, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has pushed for greater incentives for small business owners to invest in renewable energy and adopt green practices.
According to the report, just 12 per cent of small business owners are currently using methods such as solar panels to generate energy for their business.
In the past year, the government has made cuts to two flagship renewable energy subsidies for small firms the Feed in Tariff (FiT) and Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI).
Commenting on the shortage of financial incentives for business owners, FSB chairman Mike Cherry stated the need for a ‘strategic overhaul? of the UK’s subsidising infrastructure.
The report aimed to put pressure on government to include a specific carbon energy plan into any industrial strategy and to look to the small business community to achieve its targets.
Cherry underlined the critical role? that smaller companies are able to play in making the UK more energy efficient.
many small businesses are willing and capable of becoming more energy efficient, and even generating energy, Cherry concluded.
According to the report, over half of small business owners have worked to improve energy efficiency in their business, and there are ways in which firms of all sizes can make changes.
How small firms can become more energy efficient
Solar power
It has been reported that by generating energy on-site, businesses can typically save 4, 000 on energy bills.
‘security of supply? was found to be the primary concern for 60 per cent of small business owners in the FSB study, and by investing in self-sufficient energy a company can protect itself from local power outage and remain active.
Energy efficient products
Praseeda Nair is the editorial director of Business Advice, and its sister publication for growing businesses, Real Business. She's an impassioned advocate for women in leadership, and likes to profile business owners, advisors and experts in the field of entrepreneurship and management.
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