How are you progressing with your Race to Net Zero plan? When you start looking into the requirements to achieve Net Zero within your business, it can seem like a mind-boggling minefield. The Government’s first target date of 2030 aims to halve the country’s carbon footprint, followed by the big push to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. This means that now is the time for action and it’s essential that you start to really embrace New Zero and begin to take the steps you need to reduce the carbon footprint your business is creating. This forms part of the wider ESG agenda, referring to Environmental, Social and Governance practices. More customers, shareholders, employees, and investment institutions are making their buying, investment and indeed employment decisions based on these ESG factors. Where do you start? Start with the Environmental aspect of ESG. Dorset Chamber is building a library of online resources available to all and we’ll also be sharing examples of practical steps 6
February 2022 | Dorset Business Focus
that other businesses are taking. We’ll also be drilling down in to sector-specific issues and helping provide solutions. We’ll also be running a range of events and workshops with expert speakers as well as local business leaders who are truly embracing Net Zero. But this isn’t something that is just driven by business owners in isolation. Engagement, co-operation and communication will be key to success. Involve your business partners, suppliers and most importantly your employees to ensure commitment towards the end goal. Sharing ideas and best practices can only improve the achievement of these targets, creating a ripple effect that helps you and other businesses with positive change, and encourages everyone involved to engage and believe in this. Share and communicate /company/dorset-chamber/
/dorsetchamber
the positive changes you are making. Bear in mind some changes will soon be forced upon you, as the Government progress their 10-step plan, part of their Green Industrial Revolution. For example: Gas Boilers will be banned from new builds from 2025 and you will no longer be able to buy a new gas boiler from 2035. Most current gas boilers only have a useable life of 10 years. From 2030 you will be unable to buy a new petrol or diesel car and hybrids will be banned from 2035. Be mindful, taxes will be increased to make owning any of these cars more uncomfortable. Currently, there is no fixed date for the phasing out of diesel HGV’s. We are calling on Dorset businesses to join our race to Net Zero and our commitment to you is we will do all we can to support you. www.dorsetchamber.co.uk/race-to-net-zero @DorsetChamber
