Three-quarters of UK businesses say sustainability is a core strategy, study finds – Daily Star

Three-quarters of UK businesses (76%) claim that sustainability is one of their core business strategies – with one in four driven by attracting more customers, a study has found.

Three in 10 (29%) say that the reputation of their brand is a key motivator behind them striving to be more green – with 35% already educating employees on best business practices to reduce climate change.

Nearly half of business have taken steps to cut back on their energy use (48%), or to recycle more (49%), while 37% have switched to “greener” products and suppliers.

Meanwhile, 35% have increased their use of renewable energy – with 81% planning to maintain, or even increase, their current levels of investment towards their sustainability goals over the next two years.

However, of those struggling to meet their sustainability commitments, a quarter blame a lack of support from the government – as 79% feel it ought to provide more assistance to businesses seeking to achieve their environmental targets.

A study of 1,400 decision makers, for businesses with up to 1,000 employees, also found that a quarter cited the global economic downturn as having a negative effect on their environmental efforts.

And 28% cited the perceived cost of tools or technology to help them as being too high – up from 17% of SMEs, who said the same 12 months ago.

The research was commissioned by climate action platform, Ecologi, which has joined forces with the UK Climate Lobby and UK businesses to create its second annual “Climate Commitments” report, to highlight how the Government can help businesses accelerate their environmental efforts.

They came together outside parliament yesterday [Monday, April 15] to present the report inside a green version of the traditional red budget briefcase – dubbed “the green case”.

Dimitri Theocharis, CEO of the climate action platform, said: “The message coming from UK businesses is loud and clear – the desire for sustainability is there, but the full support required to achieve this is not.

“It’s time for the government to act. To drive this message home, we’ve reimagined the iconic red budget briefcase into a “green case” for our planet to parliament. We hope this sends a clear message for the government to work together with businesses, to accelerate climate action for a net zero future.”

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found 45% have applied for government funding to help make their business environmentally friendly, with 73% claiming more government support is key to their business increasing its sustainability targets.

And 76% believe government investment in the green economy would be good for business, as they argue this would create jobs and lower running costs.

Sian Conway-Wood, senior lobbyist at the Climate Lobby, added: “UK businesses are striving to become more sustainable – but they can’t achieve this alone.

“To ensure that homegrown UK businesses can compete, both in the UK and globally, the government must invest in a full-scale green revolution – not only for the sake of the planet, but to reduce operating costs, create jobs, and boost the economy.”