Climate change and business

We have included links to organisations to give you options to consider. This does not mean we are endorsing the organisation – you should do your own due diligence before making any decisions. 

Reasons to act on climate change

Save on energy costs

Reducing your energy use and switching to climate friendly alternatives can help your business save money.

Win more business

Customers are more likely than ever to be paying attention to your climate credentials.

Harness new opportunities

As we shift to a green economy, new industries will grow and adaptable businesses will benefit.

Prepare for legislative changes

Further government action in this area is likely, so taking action now can help you get ahead of the game.

Easier recruitment and retention 

Many employees consider an employer’s commitment to action when making decisions about where to work.

Get involved

Business newsletter

Our monthly business newsletter has a climate change section featuring the latest news and tips relevant to local businesses.

Sign up to the business newsletter

Business working group

Bracknell’s Economic and Skills Development Partnership runs an Infrastructure and Climate sub-group. The group helps businesses in the borough share best practice, influence the borough’s climate initiatives and co-operate on joint projects.

Join our climate change initiative

Actions your business can take

Measure emissions, set targets and develop an action plan

To get yourself on track for net zero, take a methodical approach and:

  • measuring your emissions so you can monitor your progress
  • setting targets to demonstrate your commitment - this could be "to reach net zero by as close to 2030 as possible"
  • examining your current situation and practices to find opportunities to be more sustainable
  • developing an action plan to meet your pledge - you could include some suggestions from this page

Useful resources

Reduce the energy use of your buildings

To improve the energy efficiency of your buildings and equipment, you could:

  • retrofit insulation
  • make your lighting motion-sensitive and install LED bulbs
  • move to lower-carbon heating systems such as a combined heat and power system or a heat pump
  • generate your own electricity by installing solar panels
  • construct new buildings to high energy standards such as the Bre Trust's BREEAM ratings

Heat pumps will save you money if you have an older, less efficient heating system. This may not be the case if you have a modern gas boiler. Heat pumps are more efficient than boilers, but gas is much cheaper than electricity. Make sure you understand the financial implications before purchasing.

Useful resources

Reduce your emissions from travel

To reduce emissions associated with your fleet, business travel and staff commuting, you could:

  • move your fleet to electric vehicles and install chargers in your car park - you may be able to get the cost of this partially or fully funded (see our funding finder below)
  • encourage staff to use active means of travel such as walking, cycling or public transport
  • allow home or flexible working to reduce the need for staff to commute
  • offer workplace benefits which support environmentally-friendly travel, such as a cycle to work scheme, rail season ticket loans or electric vehicle leasing

Useful resources

Raise awareness among your staff and customers

Encourage staff and customers to save energy and behave in a more environmentally friendly way by:

  • turning off lights, taps and equipment when not in use
  • choosing re-usable products and more sustainable food options
  • using the products you sell in the most sustainable way and disposing of them correctly

Useful resources

Reduce emissions from purchases and waste

Buying sustainable products, reducing your consumption and recycling waste will help reduce your emissions.

To make this easier, you could:

  • sign up to a recycling programme, such as Terracycle - you can recycle specific things like stationery or snack containers
  • provide plastic and food recycling bins for staff
  • make a plastic free pledge and commit to reducing single use plastic in your organisation
  • consider sustainability when making purchases, for example using sustainable procurement requirements

Useful resources

Funding and support

Retrofit energy efficiency or green heating measures

If you are looking to retrofit energy efficiency of green heating measures:

  • the Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 towards a heat pump or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler - you will need to claim the cost through your installer
  • you can claim capital allowances on some green measures such as new heating and lighting systems
  • your energy supplier may offer support in some circumstances, contact them to find out

Heat pumps will save you money if you have an older, less efficient heating system. This may not be the case if you have a modern gas boiler. Heat pumps are more efficient than boilers, but gas is much cheaper than electricity. Make sure you understand the financial implications before purchasing.

Purchase electric vehicles and install charge points

If you are looking to purchase electric vehicles and install charge points:

  • you can claim capital allowances on a range of green equipment - these could include:
    • electric or zero emissions vehicles
    • equipment for electric vehicle charging points
    • equipment for hydrogen refuelling
  • the plug-in grant reduces the cost of some low emission vehicles - the seller will automatically apply the discount to the purchase price
  • the Workplace Charging Scheme can cover up to 75% of the cost of installing charge points in your car parks

For businesses based in the Bracknell Business Improvement District (BID), the BID EV Chargepoint Grant can cover the remaining 25% (up to £240 for 2 charge points).

Support staff to use active travel or public transport

If you are looking to support staff to use active travel or public transport:

  • the Eco Rewards scheme will give your staff discounts and cash-backs if they use active travel to get around the borough
  • single bus journeys are capped at £2 until December 2024
  • the cycle to work scheme lets staff purchase bikes through their employer without needing to pay tax or national insurance on them
  • we offer periodic bike training and repair sessions – follow our social media channels for event information

Innovate and expand into the green economy

If you are looking to innovate and expand into the green economy:

For other green project ideas

You can also find general funding support from:

  • marketplace sites like the Green Economy Marketplace - they can help you find and compare providers for a wide variety of green products and services
  • banks including Lloyds and Barclays - they offer loans and financing to businesses to help them transition to net zero, and you may benefit from a lower interest rate
  • the Berkshire Growth Hub offers support for businesses including 1-2-1 support sessions, as well as a wide range of general resources

Training

Quick overview courses

The following webinars are a good place to get a quick overview:

If you’d prefer to complete an online course in your own time, consider the following:

If you’re short on time, try one of the podcast's below to pick up some tips:

Build a deeper understanding of what your organisation can do

Carbon Literacy training will give you a broad understanding of climate change. It will help you understand how to reduce emissions, both as an individual and at an organisational level.

Training is offered by a range of providers and most sessions carry a small charge.

Build skills in a specific area to develop your business or expand into the green economy

The providers below offer training on a range of topics, some charge a small fee:

Green Skills Bootcamps provide industry-relevant skills in the green economy. They are free for individuals, including if you are self-employed, and subsidised for SMEs. If you are an SME, you will generally need to cover up to 30% of the cost. You can find courses on the South East Skills Bootcamp list under the Green Skills section.

More information

For more information, the following sites may be helpful, they are also linked to above where relevant

The SME Climate Hub and their UK partner, the Business Climate Hub help you to calculate your emissions, make a climate pledge, and provide helpful resources.

The Federation of Small Businesses has a Sustainability Hub and other resources.

The Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust provide consultancy services as well as a range of resources as well as consultancy services.

The British Business Bank has a sustainability hub and a detailed guide with sections on learning, preparing, acting and finding support.

Emissions already produced around the world mean that a degree of climate change is inevitable. Assessing risks and adapting to the threat is an important step to protect your business. The Chartered Institute for IT have put together a list of factors to consider to help your business prepare and adapt for climate change. Similarly, you can also access detailed guidance on climate change adaptation on GOV.UK.