How SMEs can approach carbon neutrality ahead of COP26

With the COP26 summit being held between 31 October and 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, the spotlight is currently on how exactly the UK and other nations are responding to the climate crisis.

In the UK, SMEs are responsible for around half of the carbon emissions generated and as 99.9% of the private sector, they will play a key role in helping the UK go Net Zero. After a tough 18 months for small and medium-sized enterprises, in which survival has been the priority for many, environmental concerns may have slipped down the agenda. A YouGov survey of more than 1,000 British SMEs in January found that 40% didn’t have a plan in place for becoming more sustainable, while 30% had no intention of forming one. Smaller firms may have fewer resources than their corporate counterparts to throw at the task of decarbonisation, but their combined efforts are likely to prove just as crucial.

Investors hold the purse strings to the planet’s future. Businesses in almost every sector of the economy need funding to adapt to cleaner, greener ways of operating and manage the risks associated with a warming world.

At IW Capital, we have invested in many businesses who have been trying changing their policies to become more eco-friendly and reduce their carbon footprint. In our recent research we also found that 45% of UK investors are keen to support green and sustainability companies in 2021 which comes as welcome news to the UK’s green economy especially ahead of the COP26 Summit.

Some examples of the green companies that we have invested in are Impact Recycling, who developed a breakthrough plastic recycling technology which separates post-consumer mixed rigid plastic waste to recover two consistent streams of post-consumer resin (PCR); polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), each with a 98% purity.

Another company that we support is Transcend Packaging, a global leader in sustainable packaging. Transcend work with innovators, product developers and materials experts to manufacture tomorrow’s technologically advanced sustainable packaging.

Overall, investing in sustainable companies and supporting SMEs in reducing their carbon footprint will be key in achieving the UK’s climate goals.

To find out more about IW Capital, or for more information on investment and non-executive opportunities, please speak to a member of the IW Capital team today on 020 7015 2250, or email info@iwcapital.co.uk