Taking Action
The SME Climate Hub Action Guides outline how SMEs can take action to reduce their emissions. The guides are linked to the different categories in our SME Reporting Tool, and provide concrete steps to address the majority of emissions across all scopes.
- Commitment and Targets
- Own Emissions
- Value Chain Emissions – Suppliers
- Value Chain Emissions – Employees
SETTING 1.5°C ALIGNED TARGETS This guide outlines the steps involved in setting emissions reduction targets in line with the global ambition to keep climate change below 1.5°C. Establishing targets aligned with a 1.5°C future demonstrates a company’s commitment to reducing its contribution to climate change and provides a structured framework for its climate action.
REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM OFFICE BUILDINGS Around 40% of global energy-related emissions come from buildings, and 60% of office building emissions come from energy use, making it a priority to address. This guide focuses on steps to lower office building emissions, including those from lighting, heating, cooling, waste, paper, printing, and appliances.
INSTALLATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY This guide introduces the key considerations and steps involved in setting up renewable energy capacity at your organisation’s office or factory. If you don’t own your building, encourage your landlord to follow these steps instead.
REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM DATA AND IT EQUIPMENT & SERVICES This guide walks you through the steps needed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from your IT and data equipment, including devices like phones, computers, servers, and printers that are often found in offices.
ENGAGING SUPPLIERS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS This guide offers a step-by-step approach to collaborating with your suppliers to lower emissions in your value chain. It provides a framework which encourages suppliers to take action against climate change. You can follow the steps in order or start with the ones that are easiest for you to implement right now.
Switching to renewable electricity This guide focuses on how to transition to renewable energy sources. It focuses on electricity, but you should also consider other types of energy use – such as heating, cooling, and steam – depending on the nature of your business.
REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM FREIGHT AND GOODS TRANSPORT This guide covers how to reduce emissions from shipping and goods transportation. Right now, this sector is responsible for eight percent of global carbon emissions. But there are already solutions that companies can roll out to dramatically lower these emissions.
REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM COMMUTING This guide explains how to lower greenhouse gas emissions from commuting—the transportation of employees between their homes and workplaces.
REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM BUSINESS TRAVEL This guide explains how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from business travel, which applies to all sectors. The significance of business travel emissions varies among companies. For office-based organisations, it can be a significant contributor, while e.g. manufacturing companies may see a smaller impact.