{"id":1542,"date":"2024-07-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:05:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:05:50","slug":"sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability in business \u2013 goals affected by rising costs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sustainability is a growing concern for many \u2013 and small business owners are no exception. With research from Simply Business showing that sustainability is a priority for almost four in five small business owners, there\u2019s no better time to focus on sustainability in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But despite this, only 13 per cent are achieving their green goals. Keep reading to find out more about sustainability in small business sectors and how you can implement more eco-friendly goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-sustainability-in-business\">What is sustainability in business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In general, sustainability means to maintain something at a certain level \u2013 but nowadays, it\u2019s most often used to refer to the environment. In your personal life, this can include anything from being conscious about your <a href=\"\/knowledge\/cash-flow\/energy-bill-support-for-small-businesses\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1380\" >energy usage<\/a> to getting your morning coffee in a reusable cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But there are also plenty of ways sustainability is used in business \u2013 all with the goal of making sure your business practices don\u2019t negatively affect the environment. This can be everything from the type of vehicle you use at work to your approach to recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is your business carbon footprint?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your business\u2019s carbon footprint is a measurement of the greenhouse gases it generates. When you work out your business\u2019s carbon footprint, you get a better idea of the impact you&#8217;re making on the environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To calculate your carbon footprint, you\u2019ll need to consider these aspects of your business:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">energy consumption \u2013 the amount and type of energy your business typically uses day-to-day&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">travel and vehicles \u2013 the emissions from vehicles used for business related travel including your suppliers&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">fugitive gas emissions \u2013 these are greenhouse gases that are usually emitted through industrial machinery but can also come from equipment like air conditioners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While those are three main areas of focus, there\u2019s plenty more to take into account when working out your carbon footprint. Using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carbonfootprint.com\/calculator.aspx\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">business carbon footprint calculator<\/a> is the simplest way to figure out your business&#8217;s emissions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sustainability-goals-costs-of-sustainability\">Sustainability goals \u2013 costs of sustainability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While sustainability is becoming more and more prominent in our lives (both personally and professionally), businesses are struggling. Despite the UK government committing to achieving net zero by 2050, many of the UK\u2019s 5.5 million small businesses cannot front the financial cost of sustainability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our <a href=\"\/resources\/sme-insights-report\/\">SME Insights Report<\/a>, where we surveyed over 1,000 UK small business owners, found over half (57 per cent) of small businesses believe that the financial costs affect their sustainability efforts. Meaning that these environmental goals are often forgotten in favour of keeping costs affordable for customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite this, many small businesses still believe in the importance of sustainability. Sarah Jordan, owner and founder of sustainable clothing brand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youunderwear.com\/en-gb\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Y.O.U underwear<\/a>, says: \u201cTo be honest, it&#8217;s tough being a small, sustainable business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs a starting point, costs are so much higher across everything you do. Whether it&#8217;s sourcing sustainably and ensuring full transparency through your supply chain, paying living wages, or supporting charities as part of your business model (or all of those), each has a very real impact on margins and therefore profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt often doesn&#8217;t feel like a level playing field and with customers feeling the pressure at the moment too, as well as frequently having expectations around price, it&#8217;s certainly a tough space to be in. It is, however, also a very motivating one when we get great feedback from customers and see the difference we&#8217;re making.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep reading to see how you can implement more sustainability goals in your business whilst managing these rising costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-is-sustainability-important-in-business\">Why is sustainability important in business?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The benefits of sustainability in business are the same as in our personal lives. Environmental issues such as global warming, food waste, and plastic pollution are causing irreparable damage to our planet. Making the switch to more sustainable business practices can help combat some of these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it\u2019s not just the environmental impacts that make switching to more sustainable methods important for businesses. Nowadays, more customers are viewing sustainable and eco-friendly practices as a key selling point when choosing a business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A study by <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.deloitte.com\/uk\/en\/pages\/consumer-business\/articles\/sustainable-consumer.html\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Deloitte<\/a> shows that 40 per cent of customers have \u2018chosen brands that have environmentally sustainable practices\/values\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it\u2019s important to be transparent, as \u2018greenwashing\u2019 is a common term used when businesses pretend to be more environmentally friendly than they are in order to attract customers. If you hope to use your business sustainability goals as part of your brand, you\u2019ll need to truly believe in what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-improve-sustainability-in-business\">How to improve sustainability in business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">How you can improve sustainability in your business will depend on your industry and type of work. But to help you get started, here are some common ways you can help make your business more eco-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-embrace-electric-and-hybrid-vehicles\">Embrace electric and hybrid vehicles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only do hybrid and electric vehicles have environmental benefits, but they also can have lower running costs than petrol and diesel vehicles. According to EDF Energy, one electric car can save approximately 1.5 million grams of CO2, while charging an electric vehicle is often cheaper than a full tank of fuel \u2013 benefiting both your wallet and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are even government incentives for businesses to switch to less polluting vehicles, such as the <a href=\"\/knowledge\/vehicles\/scrappage-scheme-what-do-businesses-need-to-know\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1508\" >ULEZ scrappage scheme<\/a>. Electric vehicle owners are also exempt from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">vehicle excise duty (until 2025)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">van benefit charge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">fuel benefit charge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">fuel duty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can learn more about <a href=\"\/knowledge\/vehicles\/electric-cars-and-vans-for-business\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1211\" >the advantages of electric cars and vans<\/a> in our guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reduce-waste\">Reduce waste<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost all businesses will produce some form of waste and there are plenty of ways you can cut down. One way to help cut down on unnecessary waste is to set up a proper recycling system \u2013 though it\u2019s important to check the specific recycling guidelines in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government is already making plans for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/deposit-return-scheme-for-drinks-containers-moves-a-step-closer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Deposit Return Scheme<\/a> for bottles and cans, so this is a good chance to get ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also look at ways to reduce waste entirely, such as switching to digital files rather than paper. Find out more ways you can <a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1542\" >reduce waste in your small business<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-switch-to-sustainable-packaging\">Switch to sustainable packaging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UK government is trying to discourage the use of single use plastics (with the <a href=\"\/knowledge\/business-tax\/self-employed-tax-changes\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1514\" >plastic packaging tax<\/a> supporting these efforts). By switching to more sustainable packaging, not only does sustainability reduce business costs \u2013 but also your carbon footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The use of sustainable packaging can also be a major selling point for your business \u2013 as some customers may choose to buy from you for that reason. If you\u2019re interested in making the switch, check out the <a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/best-eco-friendly-packaging-materials-for-small-businesses\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1543\" >best sustainable packaging materials for small businesses<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-001\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sustainability-action-plan\">Sustainability action plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If sustainability is important to your business and you\u2019re looking to make a change, a sustainability action plan could help you to achieve your goals. There\u2019s not one set way to create a sustainability action plan but we\u2019ve listed a few things to think about to help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-review-your-current-sustainability-measures\">1. Review your current sustainability measures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take a look at your current sustainability practices and assess them. This could be anything from how much energy you use in your offices to how strict your team is with recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-make-attainable-goals\">2. Make attainable goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next part of any sustainability action plan is to set yourself some attainable goals. Using the information you\u2019ve gathered, create a list of the areas you want to make changes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much like any business plan, it might help to write these goals in the SMART format:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Specific<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Measurable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Achievable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Relevant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Timely<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An example goal using this method could be something like \u201cI want my drivers to be spending 30 per cent less on non-renewable fuel for deliveries within three years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-plan-your-actions\">3. Plan your actions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that you\u2019ve identified your main areas of improvement, you need to figure out how you\u2019ll get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using the above example of spending less on less fuel, you would then know that your business sustainability goal for the next three years is to switch to using hybrid vehicles. And when it\u2019s next time to upgrade your vehicles, you\u2019ll be more prepared to make the switch to hybrid (and may have accounted for this in your <a href=\"\/knowledge\/income\/how-to-budget-calculator-and-guide-for-the-self-employed\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"956\" >budget<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-esg-environmental-social-and-governance\">What is ESG (environmental, social, and governance)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from environmental benefits and potentially improving customer opinion of your brand, another benefit of working towards your sustainability goals is developing your ESG \u2013 also known as environmental, social, and governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are factors which measure a business\u2019s effect on the environment and on society \u2013 but ESG is also a consideration when looking for investors. Investors will look at your ESG standards, as your approach to these factors often relate to your business costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An <strong>environmentally<\/strong> conscious company may inadvertently have lower energy costs than one which uses energy more liberally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A company with a good <strong>social<\/strong> environment may have a lower staff turnover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And a business which adheres to <strong>governance<\/strong> may be less likely to face fines or other unexpected costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of these things make a company attractive in the eyes of an investor. You can learn more about <a href=\"\/knowledge\/funding\/small-business-funding-and-investment\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"18378\" >finding investors for your small business<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What are your business sustainability goals? Let us know in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-guides-on-running-a-sustainable-business\">More guides on running a sustainable business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/staff\/staff-tips-rules-for-small-businesses\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1054\" ><strong>Road to net zero: a guide for hospitality businesses<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/retail\/how-to-start-a-clothing-brand\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1163\" ><strong>How to create a sustainable fashion brand for your small business<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1044\" ><strong>Tips for saving the planet from food sharing startup OLIO<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/faq\/what-type-of-business-insurance-do-i-need\/\"><strong>What type of business insurance do I need?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-upsell-001\" class=\"wp-block-group has-azure-200-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94e519ba wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-ready-to-set-up-your-cover\">Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">As one of the UK&#8217;s biggest <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5152\" >business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/public-liability-insurance\/\">public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/quote.simplybusiness.co.uk\/\">Start your quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-end\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prioritising sustainability in business can not only attract new customers but also helps the planet. Find out the sustainable changes you can make.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":26283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"","sb_review_date":"","sb_enable_content_gating":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[341,110],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[24],"class_list":["post-1542","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategy","category-business-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sustainability in business \u2013 goals affected by rising costs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Prioritising sustainability in business can not only attract new customers but also helps the planet. Find out the sustainable changes you can make.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Sustainability in business \u2013 goals affected by rising costs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the sustainable changes you can make in your business \u2013 and the benefits of going green.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simply Business UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-22T13:05:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"Rosanna Parrish\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/strategy\/sustainability-in-business-goals-affected-by-rising-costs\/\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Rosanna Parrish\",\"description\":\"Rosanna Parrish is a Copywriter at Simply Business specialising in side hustles \u2013 as well as all things freelance, social media, and ecommerce. 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