There’s been a lot to digest from COP26 and the impact it will have on Small Business.
The short answer is Net Zero is accelerating, and your business needs to have a plan sooner than later.
There was no single, clear policy that will impact you as an SME, but a systemic change which will take multiple forms. COP26 was the starting gun for a lot of bigger investors and businesses to start accelerating their shift.
Change is coming, so lead the race rather than lose it!
66% of FTSE 100 companies have 50% carbon emission reduction targets by 2030. This means they’ll be asking suppliers and partners what they’re up to.
Thanks to GFANZ, there’s $120 Trillion of assets under management now mobilising for Net Zero.
That’s banks, pension funds, investors and beyond who are working towards Net Zero. It may also mean finance starts to come with Net Zero conditions.
As an example of point 1, during COP 26 Tesco announced requirements from their suppliers to share their Net Zero plans by 2023.
If you supply B2B expect to be asked about your Net Zero policies sooner than later.
Equally getting policies together now will enable you to win more contracts and bids by making your customers lives much easier!
Consumers left COP26 frustrated at the lack of action from Goverment.
As a business, you can answer that frustration and tackle Climate Anxiety with Climate Relief.
From COP26 we essentially learned the Governments are slow to act, and business is quickly changing to compete in the race to 1.5.
Nothing really changed from COP26 for small business owners, other than a strong message that we’re accelerating.
Net Zero is inevitable, so be a leader in the race and get your business up to speed.
COP26 is rapidly approaching, and there is one voice missing from the table: Small Businesses.
Large corporations are starting to throw their weight behind the event which is welcomed, but if we are to see real change instilled in the Climate Movement, everyone needs to be involved.
This includes the 96% of UK businesses that have less than 9 employees. In the US, this figure is 92%. These are huge chunks of the global economy that currently lack any voice or representation at COP26.
This page will be the go-to point for how your small business can get involved with COP26.
The 26th meeting of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties, COP26 is being held in Glasgow from October 31st to 12 November 2021.
There’s a lot we’re hoping to see from it, but strong and ambitious commitments and frameworks on how to achieve Net Zero are imperative, especially around effective global carbon pricing.
Learn what Net Zero means for your business, and how you can accelerate towards impactful climate action as a small business.
In this 2 hour workshop, we’ll be equipping you with all of the skills and knowledge you need to tackle your carbon emissions and achieve Net Zero in record time.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
3rd November 2021
Come along and meet like minded business owners and professionals all working towards Net Zero.
No agenda, workshops or webinars. Just chat over some nibbles and beers.
In this relaxed meet up we’ll be unwinding from the COP26 fervour and relaxing over a pint together. Let’s see where the conversation, and night, takes us!
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
3rd November 2021
Building on the success of the inaugural Festival last autumn, this year’s event will provide a showcase for the projects and innovations that are driving the net zero transition, as well as a unique forum in which to explore the immense challenges and opportunities associated with the green industrial revolution.
Tickets: Free for members of businessgreen.com. Complimentary tickets for NGO’s and not for profit organisations. £500 for consultants/advisors, service providers, PR/Communication Firms.
29th September - 1st October
2021
A week-long online conference uniting Scottish leaders from around the world who can share their experience, their insight, and how we together can support Scottish business. Join us as we broaden our horizons, inspire, and discover global opportunities and celebrate our shared culture, innovations, competitive advantages, and future opportunities.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
2nd - 9th November
2021
Want to become more energy efficient, reduce your bills and cut your carbon emissions? We have helped hundreds of businesses to do just that – and we have handpicked a selection who want to share their stories with you. The businesses you will hear from are all enjoying cheaper bills, and playing their part in tackling the climate emergency.’ Be inspired by guest speakers from a range of sectors and learn how your business could save energy and money while reducing its environmental impact.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
2nd November
2021
Learn what Net Zero means for your business, and how you can accelerate towards impactful climate action as a small business.
In this 2 hour workshop, we’ll be equipping you with all of the skills and knowledge you need to tackle your carbon emissions and achieve Net Zero in record time.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
3rd November 2021
Come along and meet like minded business owners and professionals all working towards Net Zero.
No agenda, workshops or webinars. Just chat over some nibbles and beers.
In this relaxed meet up we’ll be unwinding from the COP26 fervour and relaxing over a pint together. Let’s see where the conversation, and night, takes us!
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
3rd November 2021
Science says that global warming can be slowed if we reduce greenhouse gas emissions sharply. But good intentions mean nothing unless they’re backed up by a plan. Created to coincide with the COP26 summit, The New York Times Climate Hub is a physical and virtual space where influential leaders and thinkers join forces with the wider community to debate, discuss and discover actionable climate strategies.
Tickets: £24.99 Day pass for access to the main programme. Tickets for the forum start from £399 to attend in person or £99 for online access.
3rd -11th November 2021
A family friendly Eco-Fair with useful information and activities to help us reduce our carbon footprint and improve the environment.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
3rd - 6th November
2021
Hosted by Glasgow City Council & GreenFleetHear from experts from Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, Glasgow City Council, Crown Commercial Service, SMMT and Association of Fleet Professionals, plus case studies and presentations form organisations that have the vehicles and innovative solutions to help you make the transition to a cleaner and more efficient fleet operation. Take advantage of the 30 minute test drives in both cars and vans.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online.
5th November
2021
The Innovation Zone organised by Climate Action in partnership with Scottish Enterprise is a powerful example of the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing climate change. The Zone places innovation and investment at the heart of COP26 to accelerate the pathway to net zero and achieve a just transition.
Tickets: Free tickets available. Premium passes are £99.
8th - 11th November 2021
Our platform offers all stakeholders the opportunity to have a tangible impact at COP, helping forge the cross sector, public-private partnerships essential for transformational change, showcasing business action, the power of green finance and the innovative solutions at our disposal today.
Tickets: Free virtual tickets available. Premium virtual passes are £99. To attend in person tickets prices start from £150 depending on business sector.
8th - 10th November 2021
We hear from influential international speakers working on hydrogen projects and programmes as well as those developing energy and financial policies. This Hydrogen Transition Summit is a full-day of presentations and discussions on hydrogen: from industry, transport, policy and finance through to energy decarbonisation and carbon capture. Sessions will share innovations, ideas and case studies.
Tickets: Free virtual tickets available. Premium virtual passes are £99. To attend in person tickets prices start from £100 depending on business sector.
11th November 2021
With the technical collaboration of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Climate Action presents the Agri – Food Transition Summit during COP26. The Summit has been designed in response to the growing demand for new models to achieve food security, sustainable development and other global goals outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Goals while achieving the Paris Agreement objectives.
Tickets: Free virtual tickets available. Premium virtual passes are £99. To attend in person tickets prices start from £100 depending on business sector.
11th November 2021
This in-person event will be a workshop and include networking with small business owners and sole traders. Speakers will discuss COP26: what have we learned and what it means for business. There will also be an opportunity to discuss electric vehicles and to try out electric vans for hire.
Tickets: Free for FSB Members – register online
15th November 2021
A regional networking event for wedding suppliers that are either working sustainably or want to be. The Sustainable Wedding Alliance are here to support you, to help you to build a business that you’re proud of, one that has sustainability at its core and that balances people and planet. Join us at the Conscious Connections event at Hayne House and hear first hand how they have developed their business to more sustainable, why they’ve joined the UN race to zero and what simple sustainable initiatives have been the most successful.
Tickets: Free tickets – register online
16th November 2021
Answer a few questions and get an estimated carbon footprint of your business in 2 minutes.
Join our Hero platform to get a free and simple Carbon Reduction Plan for your small business so you can start acting in less than 10 minutes.
