Leading researchers, including a team from Sheffield Hallam University, say that small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) are overlooked in government climate policy making.
This is despite SME’s accounting for 50% of UK commercial and industrial energy use.
The research found that climate support programmes for SMEs were “often small-scale, piecemeal and poorly evaluated”.
Will Eadson, Professor of Urban and Regional Studies at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We urge policymakers to implement flexible arrangements that empower SMEs to reduce emissions across their business operations and supply chains.
“SME’s have undeniable potential for climate action through their influence on behaviours and markets.”
These findings come from the Go Zero project which consists of scientists from Sheffield Hallam University, Oxford University and the Open University.
The research found decarbonisation pressures vary across sectors from hospitality where there is little regulation, to construction and steel who face global pressures and skills shortages.
Go Zero project suggests that in order to achieve national net zero targets, the governance of SME decarbonisation must play a more prominent role in climate policy.