The Action Space: Simplifying Small Business Decarbonization 

The individual impact a small company has on climate change may feel small itself. But, with approximately 358 million small and medium-sized businesses globally, there is power in numbers. It’s estimated that SMEs account for between 50% and 64% of total business sector emissions. That’s a huge impact that these companies can collectively have on shifting the tide on climate change.  

However, these businesses can’t be expected to go it alone. They often have smaller teams and budgets and stand at the forefront of climate change impacts themselves.  

To help these businesses move from setting goals to taking action, the SME Climate Hub has launched its Action Space, a new platform of climate action tools, created for SMEs to understand the steps needed to achieve their net zero goals. One less roadblock towards business climate action. 

The SME Climate Hub collaborated with partners leading across business and climate to create the Action Space including the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Together, we are making climate action easier than ever for SMEs. 

Navigating the Action Space 

The Action Space was designed to support businesses to kickstart, expand, accelerate, and meet net zero goals. SMEs can measure and report emissions, address operational and supply chain emissions, understand their climate risks, engage local communities, and more. Throughout the Action Space, users can find examples of other small businesses working to reduce their emissions – and pair these roadmaps with tools that help customize their own decarbonization journey. 

SMEs that are just starting to move towards net zero can start by accessing our business basics tools to help them build a foundation for climate action, including resources for:  

• Measuring and understanding carbon emission hotspots 

• Incorporating sustainability into a business strategy and getting staff on board 

• Setting emissions reductions targets to help keep global temperature rise in check 

After learning the basics, SMEs can implement their new knowledge to turn goals into action within their own business operations, accessing resources to:  

• Reduce emissions from business travel and commuting 

• Switch to renewable energy sources 

• Implement small and impactful changes to reduce building and factory emissions 

There’s also the opportunity to go farther than managing internal business emissions. Our community can access tools to decarbonize their supply chain, learning to: 

• Engage suppliers to reduce emissions from the products and services they provide 

Lastly, the Action Space hosts our new Action Guides designed to provide businesses with simplified, expert advice to integrate climate action across their business, including: 

• Setting up a structure and strategy to divide climate responsibilities across the company 

• Managing waste from buildings to decrease environmental impact and reduce costs 

• Designing products for circularity by learning to evaluate impact across raw materials, energy use, waste, and product longevity 

• Understanding climate risks to develop mitigation strategies and ensure long-term sustainability 

• Reducing business impact on nature by addressing emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other land uses within supply chains 

Take action today 

Our SMEs have reported that taking climate action has helped them win new customers, enhance their business reputation, and meet customer expectations. The evidence is clear: cutting emissions isn’t just good for the environment – it’s good business. 

Visit the Action Space to access free resources and learn from the success of other companies reducing emissions to build a business that’s set for the future.