One in three small businesses in the UK (31%) holds sustainability at the core of their business culture and planning, according to new market research conducted by Novuna Business Finance. A further 38% say they are taking practical steps to do their bit on sustainability this year.
In contrast to some governments and many larger businesses that have been seen to dial down their commitment to Net Zero in recent years, the latest research reveals that sustainability continues to inform decision-making in smaller ventures, impacting elements from vision and business culture to operational processes and customer engagement.
To get a clearer picture of the concerns and motivations which influence these trends, the Novuna Sustainable Business Podcast sat down with three very different small businesses, each showing what sustainability looks like in practice. Their stories feature in the podcast’s 12th season, and have been collated into a new report offering valuable insight into how UK small businesses are continuing to survive in today’s difficult financial climate, while still keeping sustainability at the heart of what they do:
· Construction company Lambert Home Builds and sustainable building advocate Eco Renovation Home discussed how their small businesses help clients across the country make their homes fit for the future – and cut energy consumption and carbon emissions in the process.
· Experiential design agency YourScene shared how their sustainability mission began at COP26, the steps they have taken towards lowering carbon emissions and their journey to becoming a certified B Corp.
· Artisan coffee company Blue Turaco described his mission to change how Ugandan coffee is seen in the UK – and help other coffee growers implement sustainable farming practices.
Key findings by industry:
Construction:
– Natural materials aren’t just a better choice for the planet – As extreme heat becomes the norm each summer, natural construction materials are a much better choice than synthetic for maintaining comfortable internal temperatures.
– Education is key – The next generation of builders need to be made aware of the benefits of sustainable construction and materials, rather than continuing to learn outdated methods
Events and experiences
– Progress over perfection – Humans are social animals, but in-person events will always necessitate travel (and the carbon emissions which come with it). Mitigating that impact is more important than shutting down the industry all together
– B Corp benefits – Becoming a certified B Corp can be a game-changer. The process is challenging, but many small businesses are already fulfilling some of the requirements
Food and drink supply
– Finance must play a part – Sustainable farming practices are a must, but the farmers who adopt them must be paid fairly in order to continue to farm sustainably
– Forging a path – Many small businesses are breaking new ground, not just for their own success, but for the next generation
Small business owners’ concerns around the environment also inform their approach to adopting new technology. Where many larger businesses are wholeheartedly integrating AI into their processes, Novuna Business Finance’s recent nationally representative survey of small businesses across the UK shows that nationally, only three in 10 UK small business owners (31%) say they are using AI to support their enterprises. 22% of those small business owners cite the technology’s energy and natural resource consumption as a worry.
Commenting on the new report, Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance, said: “The work small businesses do is often incredibly personal. They meet their clients face-to-face, day in, day out, and an owners’ personal approach to sustainability often influences decisions across the business at large. Taking the time to sit down with these business leaders is therefore a vital part of our mission to support the sector in a meaningful way.
“At Novuna Business Finance, these insights shape how we support businesses. Our conversations continue to show that sustainability means different things to different organisations depending on their priorities, customers and ambitions. That’s why we take a flexible, practical approach, adapting the support we provide to help each business achieve its own goals.”
All episodes in series 1-12 of the Novuna Sustainable Business Podcast are available to listen to here: https://www.novuna.co.uk/business-finance/resource-centre/the-sustainable-business-podcast/
For information on the podcast guests visit:
Lambert Home Builds – lamberthomebuilds.com
Eco Renovation Home – ecorenovationhome.com
Blue Turaco – blueturacocoffee.com
YourScene – http://www.yourscene.co/