Birkenhead firm leads the way to net zero

The government has launched the ‘Together for our Planet – Business Climate Leaders’ campaign, a new drive to encourage small and micro businesses to commit to cutting their emissions in half by 2030 and to net zero by 2050 or sooner through the new UK Business Climate Hub .

Family-owned energy efficiency specialists SURE Solutions based in Birkenhead offers solutions to businesses using industrial refrigeration and has pledged to become net zero by 2025.

The company has installed 70 solar panels on the roof of its premises and this year plans to install a hot water heat pump and electric vehicle charge points. This is on top of making sure it is recycling waste and replacing its vehicles with either electric or hybrid equivalents. The business also has plans to be carbon neutral through carbon offsetting by the end of the year through tree planting or similar.

Small businesses can use the hub to find practical tools, resources and advice to understand their emissions and develop a plan to tackle them, as well as providing ideas for steps they can take.

Steps could include installing energy saving light bulbs, switching to electric vehicles and other cleaner forms of transport to reduce their carbon footprint, looking at environment-friendly packaging options, or introducing cycle to work schemes for employees.

Craig Shaw, Operations Director for Birkenhead-based SURE Solutions said, “Being part of the push towards Net Zero provides a greater sense of purpose and accountability across our business. We couldn’t offer energy-efficient design advice if we weren’t putting those measures in place ourselves. This helps us be firmer in our decisions and that we show integrity, it means we do the right things. And, ultimately, we’re ensuring we are growing our business in a sustainable way.”

Those who make a net-zero commitment on the UK Business Climate Hub will be recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign and will become ‘climate leaders’ – role-modelling and inspiring others in the community to find meaningful ways to take positive environmental action as we approach the global climate summit COP26 hosted in Glasgow this year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “Every step that a small business takes on their journey to net-zero adds up – not only in protecting the health of the planet but also in future-proofing their business and encouraging new investment, new customers and new opportunities for growth.”

Main Image: Operations Director, Craig Shaw and some of the solar panels installed, “We’re ensuring we are growing our business in a sustainable way.”