Key challenges for SMEs

The following were of particular interest to those responding pre and during the webinar, and are also seen in research such as the BSI Net Zero Barometer and research from IEMA mentioned by Chloe:

• how to find resource and time alongside business priorities
• dealing with the complexity of what is expected of them
• how to make a good case to make changes and start transitions to senior management.

Key features in the Flex

Process – a recommended step by step process for logically creating and implementing a transition plan, i.e.,:

• get senior management behind it,
• have adequately competent staff to do what’s necessary.

Define what you want to get to NZ, e.g., whole organization, maybe excluding operations outside national borders?

How much? - measuring current emissions as baseline (taking all 3 Scopes into account - organizations are encouraged to look at what’s most important, to focus in on areas where they can take action and make real reductions).

Set targets. The aim is to reduce emissions until only residual emissions remain by a target date – typically 2050. Residual emissions are those that it is technically or economically impossible to get rid of (like cows burping methane…?).

Take action: A Net Zero Transition Plan needs to look frequently at measures to reduce and, less frequently, remove GHG emissions. Headline actions could include:

• better energy management
• energy efficiency projects
• switching to onsite renewable energy, etc.

Redesign, circular principles: there is a need to think and, if necessary, redesign products or processes, taking into account more circular principles. This can also include adapting both processes and end-products to deal with the likely impact of climate change of the life of the Transition Plan

Impact: The Flex also asks users to look at the impact of their actions – have they achieved what was wanted?  Did they meet their KPIs?  Also, there are recommendations on keeping the plan up to date, encouraging you to think about how you can finance the required actions. 

Reporting and communication: covered though this isn’t the main focus of the Flex – there are a lot of other documents that are mainly about reporting but give less support on the actual planning an implementation.

Net Zero Transition poll results

Polls: To get a better understanding of where our attendees are on their journey to net zero, which areas are important, and to help others benchmark themselves, we ran three polls:
 

Poll 1: was to see what emissions SMEs are currently considering.

a.     the main response was more than two thirds of participants (more than 77%) are thinking about Scope 1 (direct fossil fuels)

b.     75% are thinking of Scope 2 (indirect use - electricity).

c.      Of scope 3, by far the most people (67.5%) were thinking about travel and transport with 42.5% thinking about suppliers and hardly anyone thinking about customers just yet.

Poll 2: asked which of the several resources were being used and the top answers were:

a.    46% used the GHG Protocol

b.    21% the SBTi

c.    24% PAS 2060 on carbon neutrality demonstration

You can also access links to these resources in our resources section here. 

Poll 3: asked if you could have some clear examples given for NZ transition, what would help most? Top responses were:

a.    19% were interested in how to begin the journey

b.    31% in how to set a target year for NZ

c.    24% on how to put together a business case for it.