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The Westminster Climate Fund is open for applications, offering grants to help businesses and organisations across Westminster save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions

• Who can apply? Businesses, cultural institutions, public entities, and community groups in Westminster.
• What for? Projects like upgrading heating systems, installing solar panels, and creating new community green spaces.

Find out more here

Climate change means that extreme weather events are more likely than ever, which puts Westminster at greater risk of flooding. WCC have published their Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to help the city become more resilient, and help achieve wider environmental benefits.  
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2024-2030 | Westminster City Council 

Air pollution is a very large public health issue in London. Londonair is the website of the London Air Quality Network (LAQN), and shows air pollution in London and south east England.
This website provides information for the public, for policy users, and for scientists and is provided by the Environmental Research Group of Imperial College London. 

https://www.londonair.org.uk/LondonAir/Default.aspx

Due to the climate emergency, spiralling fuel costs, and customer demand, more businesses are considering owning or leasing cargo bikes. 

Are you considering a new cargo bike, looking to get more out of the one you currently own, or considering expanding your fleet? Do you want to address the Climate Emergency by reducing your carbon emissions, reduce your spiralling fuel costs, or have customers asking if you offer low-emission deliveries? 

If you regularly transport bulky cargo or run a small business that makes frequent light freight deliveries locally, a cargo bike could work for you instead of a car or van. If you’ve tried researching cargo bikes before, you know there is an overwhelming amount of information on the Web, making it difficult to know where to start. This Guide from Cross River Partnership will help inform your decision.

https://bizcargobikeguide.london/

Some banks offer green loans to support small businesses with green projects and activities. Banks will often stipulate a list of qualifying projects, which may include renewable energy generation, electric vehicles and retrofit. The loans sometimes have more favourable terms, such as cash back or no arrangement fees. Some of the banks offering this service are:

Lloyds – https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/commercial-banking/clean-growth-financing-initiative.html

Natwest – https://www.natwest.com/business/loans-and-finance/sustainable-finance/green-loans.html

HSBC – https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/solutions/green-sme-fund

For new businesses seeking investment, the Clean Growth Fund offers funding for innovative, low-carbon start-ups that are developing sustainability solutions.

https://www.cleangrowthfund.com/

The Exponential Business Playbook is a guide for CEOs, managers, and employees aiming to drive and accelerate the rapid economic transition needed to secure a livable planet.

The playbook, grounded in science and global expertise, offers a strategic framework for target setting, transition planning, implementation, and disclosure. It prioritizes simplicity, speed, and compatibility with existing standards and criteria.

The recent version 4.1 was launched in Davos in January 2025. It provides guidance on embedding a strategy for climate action across your organisation through a four pillar approach:

1. Pillar 1: reducing your own emissions
2. Pillar 2: reducing value chain emissions
3. Pillar 3: provide scale solutions
4. Pillar 4: accelerate climate action in society

Source: The 1.5C Business Playbook

It’s increasingly important to demonstrate your organisation’s carbon neutrality, respond to climate change, and contribute to the UN Strategic Development Goals.

PAS 2060 – Carbon neutrality verification provides a recognized method of substantiating genuine claims so you can achieve these ambitions.

PAS 2060 enables a business to demonstrate the carbon neutrality of the organisation or any uniquely identified subject such as a specific activity, product, service, building, project or event.

Source: PAS 2060 Carbon neutrality

Sustainable development is action we can take to meet the needs of the present day without stopping future generations from meeting theirs. In 2015, the UN agreed 17 interlinked ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) with the aims of ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Many organisations align their sustainability strategies in support of the SDGs.

Source: Sustainable development goals

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) provides resources and guidance for organisations to set meaningful emission reductions targets that support the aims of the Paris Agreement. The SBTi Net Zero Corporate standard acts as the industry best practice definition of ‘Net Zero’, asking organisations to commit to a 90% overall reduction in total (Scope 1, 2 and 3) emissions before 2050.

For a fee, organisations can have their targets validated by the SBTi.

Source: Science based targets

The SME Climate Hub Business Carbon Calculator is a free tool allowing SMEs to calculate their emissions and access recommendations about next steps to being cutting carbon.

The calculator covers Scope 1, 2 and some scope 3 emissions, as listed below:

Scope 1: Direct emissions from the combustion of fuel in assets that a company operates, such as fuel emissions from company-owned cars, diesel generators, gas boilers and air-conditioning leaks.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of energy purchased from a utility provider, such as heating, cooling, steam, and electricity.

Scope 3: Upstream emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, upstream transport and distribution, and business travel, all of which can be calculated from accounting expenses.

Source: https://smeclimatehub.org/start-measuring/

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the international standard framework for emissions reporting. Within the GHG Protocol, a full carbon footprint is made up of three levels of emissions sources called ‘scopes’, which are outlined below. The scopes are split out in this way to demonstrate the level of control that an organisation has over the emissions being released.

Scope 1 – direct emissions from gas and other fuels

Includes emissions from activities owned or controlled by your organisation that release emissions into the atmosphere. Examples of scope 1 emissions include emissions from combustion in gas boilers and vehicle emissions from company owned cars.

Scope 2 – indirect emissions from electricity

Includes emissions released into the atmosphere associated with your consumption of purchased electricity, heat, steam and cooling. These are indirect emissions that are a consequence of your organisation’s activities under your operational control, but which occur at sources you do not own or control. The most common example of scope 2 emissions is the electricity purchased from a supplier.

Scope 3 – other indirect emissions

While many companies report on emissions from their direct operations, emissions from a company’s value chain – its scope 3 emissions – often have the biggest GHG impacts. In some cases, scope 3 emissions can account for up to 90% of a business’ total carbon footprint. There are 15 GHG Protocol categories for Scope 3, covering purchased goods and services, waste, transport, as well as investments and energy use throughout the supply chain.

Source: GHG protocol

The National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses, (FSB) is a member organisation which provides knowledge, advice and training to help small businesses to reach their ambitions. FSB has developed a variety of resources designed to support small business owners to take their first steps in sustainability. The resources include explainer articles on topics such as ESG and carbon footprints, as well as practical advice and signposts to training.

Source: FSB

The UK Business Climate Hub is a collaboration between the UK Government, businesses and business groups across the UK. The Hub is the UK partner of the SME Climate Hub, the global initiative which empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to take climate action by providing practical, step-by-step guides to support SMEs to take practical steps to cut carbon,

Source: Business climate hub

UK Business Climate Hub is a collaboration of the UK Government and a conglomerate of business groups. The Hub is particularly aimed at SMEs and is based on a framework of seven steps to sustainability, endorsed by the Net Zero Council.

The Hub includes various resources including a funding list, case studies and advice articles to assist businesses in measuring, reporting, and reducing emissions. Businesses can browse the site by theme (such as waste and recycling) and by sector. There is also an events listing page for relevant webinars and in-person events.

Source: https://businessclimatehub.uk/

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has unveiled a duo of reports aimed at catalysing corporate action and facilitating the development and execution of beyond value chain mitigation (BVCM) strategies. BVCM, a cornerstone of the SBTi’s Corporate Net-Zero Standard, aims to prompt economic and social actions to avoid, reduce or remove greenhouse gas emissions outside of a company’s carbon footprint boundary. The reports, titled “Above and Beyond: An SBTi Report on BVCM Design and Implementation” and “Raising the Bar: An SBTi Report on Enhancing Corporate BVCM Adoption,” serve to provide comprehensive insights and guidance in advancing BVCM initiatives.

• Sectors: Built environment, retail, hospitality & leisure
• Source: https://www.edie.net/sustainability-communications-and-disclosure-handbook-2024/

Edie has just launched an enhanced edition of their guidebook on sustainability communications and disclosure. This handbook is designed to assist companies in their sustainability reporting endeavours, whether voluntary or obligatory. Its primary emphasis is to address issues like greenwashing, enhancing disclosures, and refining storytelling techniques. Through the integration of sustainability reporting, marketing strategies, and communication tactics, the handbook strives to enhance transparency and foster constructive shifts in behaviour.

Source: https://www.edie.net/sustainability-communications-and-disclosure-handbook-2024/

More than 90% of retailers’ Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are Scope 3 emissions, generated in the supply chain. Whilst these are the most difficult emissions to control, tackling the issue is vital to reaching the UK retail industry’s goal of net zero by 2040. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has co-produced with IBM the guide, Monitor, Measure and Report Supply Chain Scope 3 Emissions. The guide provides strategies and frameworks for improving visibility and reporting of Scope 3 emissions and advises on how retailers can collaborate with supply chain partners to achieve the greatest reductions.

Source: https://brc.org.uk/climate-roadmap/section-7-pathway-4-sourcing-sustainably/76-monitor-measure-and-report-supply-chain-scope-3-emissions-guide-for-retailers/

Online shopping has boomed since 2020 and 45% of consumers receive at least one parcel delivery per week compared to 36% pre-pandemic. Whilst convenient, e-commerce has an environmental impact due to the fuel burned by delivery vehicles, leading to carbon emissions and air pollution. The British Retail Consortium’s report, Cutting Carbon in the Final Mile, aims to provide best practice for retailers on reducing emissions from delivery. The report highlights key case studies across the industry of how companies are harnessing innovative low-carbon technology to reduce the impact of their deliveries.

Source: https://brc.org.uk/news/csr/cutting-carbon-in-the-final-mile/

This library of resources has been compiled by the Consumer Goods Forum to help companies in their journey to net zero, and includes case studies, tools, reports and initiatives. Topics covered include plastics and packaging, consumer use, transport and logistics, and supplier engagement.

Source: https://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/environmental-sustainability/carbon-solutions-hub/knowledge-repository/

This guide from the Consumer Goods Forum is a set of practical solutions for Consumer Goods and Retail companies to address their most complex emissions challenges. The Playbook was launched at COP27 to highlight the fact that urgent action is needed in the sector, which contributes approximately one third of global emissions. The Playbook outlines how to get started on the decarbonisation journey and provides real case studies demonstrating how industry leaders are already taking action on sustainable agriculture, plastics & packaging, transport & logistics, consumer use, and supplier enablement.

Source: https://www.theconsumergoodsforum.com/environmental-sustainability/carbon-solutions-hub/

The Government has pledged to support businesses in the transition to net zero. This tends to be through periodic grant-giving programmes, focused on specific topics. It is worth keeping an eye on the dedicated page for green funding programmes, as there may be future opportunities around energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in other sectors.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-funding-to-help-your-business-become-greener

This report by the UN was launched at COP27 and is entitled Integrity Matters: Net Zero Commitments by Businesses, Financial Institutions, Cities and Regions. It was developed by a taskforce which aims to bring integrity, transparency and accountability to net zero by establishing clear standards and criteria, addressing concerns around greenwashing. The report lays out key criteria and recommendations for businesses setting net zero commitments, such as: “Non‑state actors cannot claim to be net zero while continuing to build or invest in new fossil fuel supply”.

Source: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/high-level_expert_group_n7b.pdf

The Science Based Targets Network has released the first science-based targets for nature, enabling companies to assess their nature impacts and develop scientific pathways to addressing them.

Source: https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/take-action-now/take-action-as-a-company/what-you-can-do-now/

The Net Zero Toolkit is designed to help time- and resource-constrained SMEs to begin to take action on the climate. The resource is designed in eight steps, which invite businesses to address different elements of their operations. From understanding and mitigating the impact of extreme weather occurrences to recognising and working on creative ways to reduce scope three emissions. Each step provides question prompts, a bank of resources and the opportunity to align actions with targets.

Source: https://www.iso.org/netzero

Edie has partnered with the Woodland Trust to produce this explainer guide to the relationship between biodiversity and business. The guide discusses the impacts your operations may be having on biodiversity and outlines the business case for addressing this.  With nature and biodiversity becoming a more prominent topic in the sustainability discourse, the guide can help businesses understand the steps that can be taken to reverse nature loss and restore natural habitats.

Source: https://www.edie.net/edie-explains-biodiversity-and-business/

FSB, or the National Federation of Self Employed & Small Businesses, is a member organisation which provides knowledge, advice and training to help small businesses to reach their ambitions. FSB has developed a variety of resources designed to support small business owners to take their first steps in sustainability. The resources include explainer articles on topics such as ESG and carbon footprints, as well as practical advice and signposts to training.

Source: https://www.fsb.org.uk/knowledge/knowledge/sustainability.html

For most companies, the majority of their scope 3 (indirect) emissions will arise from their value chain. The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) offers the option for businesses to set supplier-engagement targets instead of absolute reduction targets for their scope 3 emissions, but achieving these targets can feel daunting. SBTi has released a new guidance document to support businesses in addressing supply chain emissions, outlining how larger companies can encourage their suppliers to set their own science-based targets. The guidance includes how to identify and prioritise suppliers for reduction targets, securing buy-in, training and engagement tools and methods, and monitoring progress.

Source: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Supplier-Engagement-Guidance.pdf

The Net Zero Guidelines created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are designed to establish a consistent methodology for organisations to work towards in their transition to net zero. The guidelines aim to set out a common definition of “net zero” and its associated concepts, thereby standardising net zero claims and enabling greater transparency and comparability between organisations. Access to these guidelines is available free of charge on the ISO website.

Expanding on this effort, the ISO has unveiled a standard, ISO 14068, dedicated to carbon neutrality. This standard offers a structured framework for measuring and attaining carbon neutrality.

Source: https://www.iso.org/netzero

‘It’s Now for Nature’ has produced a strategy handbook for the business community to help them act on nature and contribute towards a nature-positive world by 2030.

The Nature Strategy Handbook serves as a practical tool for businesses aiming to create a comprehensive nature strategy. The handbook builds on the ACT-D principles – Assess, Commit, Transform and Disclose – which were developed by global organisations supporting the ‘It’s Now for Nature’ campaign, including WWF and the Science Based Targets Initiative.

The handbook offers a series of essential questions, recommendations, and resources to aid in developing a nature strategy, whether as a separate document or integrated within existing business, climate, or sustainability strategies.

Source: https://nowfornature.org/read-the-handbook/