Will Your Small Business Join Us In The #RacetoZero?

Today, on Earth Day (22nd April 2021) we are proud to be launching our commitment to become #NetZero by 2030.

We have been galvanised to do this by our friends at Small Business Britain who earlier this year launched their #NetZero campaign - part of the United Nations #RaceToZero, a global initiative built around the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 at the very latest.

Achieving net-zero emissions will require a broad coalition from across society. From individuals, governments to businesses of all sizes - everyone must take climate action.

Small Business Britain is asking small businesses to make a commitment to becoming net-zero, and make a short video that they will then share on their channels.

We want to help them achieve this, and our asking the amazing small businesses who donate to charity via our platform to get involved.

Of course, we too are a small business with purpose at our core, and we too have a responsibility to take climate action and join the #RacetoZero.

Watch our video here to find out how we are committing to net-zero by 2030. We hope small businesses will find it inspiring and will be moved to make their own videos, and take action.

And don't worry, in the words of Small Business Britain a commitment to becoming #NetZero is:

“not as huge as it sounds (though the net result will be!)”

Tips for making your video:

• Make your commitment to net-zero by at the latest 2050. You do not need to know exactly how you are going to get there - but do tell us what you are doing already, such as changing travel or vehicles, donations to environmental charities, changing lightbulbs or energy suppliers, or thinking about things like environmentally friendly packaging. All of it adds up.
• Make sure there is no background noise.
• Film your video in landscape (use your phone).
• Make sure you introduce your business and give your name.

Send Small Business Britain your own #NetZero video to hello@smallbusinessbritain.uk, and they will share it to promote your business and the amazing things you will do!

Small Business Britain may also share the video with the Dept for BEIS (they may be in touch with you for more info before hand).

What is important to remember is that although the climate issue is huge, small actions can make a big difference.

How small businesses can start to become #NetZero.

There are so many sustainable, achievable and impactful ways small businesses can make a difference and commit to fighting climate change. Here are just a few:

• Take your first step with the environmental footprint calculator on the WWF-UK website. Publish your findings on social media.
• Use the reach of your business platform to inform others and spread awareness of key climate issues and how people can help.
• Become paper-free.
• Pledge to use 100% plastic-free packaging.
• Cycle to work.
• Choose a green energy supplier.
• Get your team involved with beach cleans - independently or through a charity such as Surfers Against Sewage.
• Take part in a BeeWalk survey with The Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
• Off-set carbon by planting trees - check out schemes with charities such as Trees for Cities.
• Pledge to donate to a charity through your business sales.

2021 - The Year of Global Activism:

Environmental scientists, experts, organisations, and charities have been calling for governments and corporations to stand up and tackle climate change for years. Indeed since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated.

At last in 2021 we are seeing the results of this pressure.

Here are some of the big climate actions happening in 2021:

• Organised by the US and President Biden, Earth Day has been chosen for the global leaders' climate summit.
  
• Nearly a third of the UK’s largest businesses have now committed to The United Nations global initiative #RacetoZero.
  
• The UK government has put a special community together to champion the UK’s involvement in #RaceToZero . Last year the UK government-appointed Andrew Griffith as Net Zero Business Champion whose job it is to encourage businesses to reduce their emissions and spur companies of all sizes to make climate targets.
  
• The UK is hosting COP 26 - the UN Climate Summit in November.
  
• B Lab and many others have been working hard towards the parliamentary launch of their Better Business Act campaign. Their mission is to change UK law to make sure every single company in the UK, whether big or small, aligns the interests of their shareholders with those of wider society and the environment. Their objective is to amend Section 172 of the Companies Act in line with these principles.

What’s more the UK is already seizing the economic opportunities that are driving the Green Revolution. According to the Government website 460,000 jobs are already in enterprises and supply chains with low carbon emissions. And low carbon exports are already worth billions of pounds each year. (Source:www.gov.uk)

Will your small business make an impact and join the Race to Zero?

Lets protect our planet for future generations.

About Work for Good:

At Work for Good we think doing good through business shouldn’t be difficult.

Most businesses are unaware that you need a Commercial Participation Agreement in place before you can start raising money for charity through sales and publicising it.

This legal requirement can cause headaches for both the business and the charity. Through our fundraising platform, businesses can create a Commercial Participation Agreement with each charity they would like to support in just a few minutes.

Making it simple, quick and sustainable for small businesses to integrate purpose into their business and donate to charities they care most about.

Find out more and choose a charity to support through your business.