Recognising the three challenges for your SME’s sustainability drive
Research has revealed that 87% of UK SMEs are unaware of their business’s total carbon emissions, despite good intentions – with almost half (45%) of UK SMEs recognising it is important to lower their emissions in the near future.* Among those that proceed to measure emissions, only half take the next step to set targets and address their energy efficiency.
What is stopping your organisation from becoming more energy-smart?
We understand that running a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) is not easy. As an SME owner, you face three hurdles in achieving your sustainability goals: limited time, limited money, and limited sustainability knowledge.
1. Limited time
In the hustle and bustle of your daily business operations, time is a precious commodity. You’re caught in a perpetual race against the clock, managing tasks, putting out fires, and ensuring the smooth functioning of your business. The mere thought of incorporating sustainability practices might seem like an additional burden, given your already tight schedule.
2. Limited money
Budget constraints are ever-present for SMEs. Every penny needs to be allocated judiciously, leaving little room for discretionary spending. Sustainability initiatives may appear financially daunting, causing you to hesitate. The fear of stretching an already tight budget can become a significant roadblock to adopting climate-friendly practices.
3. Limited sustainability knowledge
The world of sustainability can appear to be quite confusing. Focused on the day-to-day intricacies of your business, you might not have the luxury to explore the complexities of all the possible options. The lack of expertise and awareness can be a stumbling block, making it challenging to make informed decisions about sustainable practices.
Break the deadlock
Amongst these challenges, there’s a practical and accessible entry point to sustainability for you – energy efficiency. Our team at Energy Solutions Oxfordshire recognises the hurdles faced by SMEs and has created a free Workplace Energy Efficiency Checklist, designed with your time constraints in mind.
The checklist is a straightforward guide that won’t demand an extensive commitment of your time. By following the suggested actions, you can pinpoint quick-win energy efficiency measures that you can easily integrate into your daily operations.
Financial concerns are also addressed. The checklist is crafted to align with the budget constraints of SMEs, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. It’s a pragmatic approach that ensures your bottom line remains intact as you start the journey towards a more sustainable future.
Most importantly, you don’t need to be a sustainability expert to get started. The checklist serves as your knowledgeable companion, simplifying the process and bridging the information gap.
For the bold
If you’ve already tackled most of the quick-win measures in our free checklist, and are keen to push further, then it is time to consider our Workplace Energy Efficiency Assessment. Recognising the importance of reducing energy waste in today’s landscape of cutting energy bills, carbon emissions, and championing sustainability, this assessment takes your efforts to the next level.
Our assessment stands out from the crowd by including on-site visits, and we can help identify unique opportunities, guiding you to available funding, some of which is only available in Oxfordshire, often for very short periods of time.
On top of it all, our proven track record reveals an average 19% savings in energy costs following the implementation of our recommendations. Some businesses have even achieved more substantial savings, highlighting the tangible impact of our personalised assessments.
For more information and an informal chat, do get in touch with the ESOx team today, or start off right away by downloading a copy of the free Workplace Energy Efficiency Checklist.