Collaborating for Success: The power of working together on the journey to Net Zero

Welcome to the final article in our Net Zero Monitor series where we explore how SMEs are making progress towards Net Zero, the challenges they face and the power of working together to drive change.

The journey to Net Zero cannot happen unless businesses come together and create greater change collectively across their sector, region or supply chain. Creating these networks means that specific problems can be shared, explored and lessons can be learnt around how to overcome challenges. The old adage ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ is something collaborative SMEs are living through day-to-day.

According to the Net Zero Monitor , this collaboration is already embedded within the Net Zero journey, with the majority (56%) of SMEs saying they are working with other businesses on driving change. It also shows that SMEs further along their Net Zero journey are more likely to be a part of the change ecosystem.

There is however, an action gap between SMEs seeking input to progress on their Net Zero journey, and those actively taking the advice and support available to them.

The most popular sources of information and support are;

• the internet (74%),
• the Government (66%),
• external consultants (59%)
• sector membership bodies (58%).

However, the extent to which these sources are being actively used by SMEs is low. For each identified support source, only half of the SMEs who said they might turn to them have done so - making the support from other SMEs even more crucial.

With increasing numbers of SMEs reaching the Net Zero milestone, we are progressively seeing these SMEs stepping up and becoming a ‘Net Zero Hero’ and making a difference by sharing what they’ve learnt with other SMEs. It is crucial to learn from the experiences of this group of businesses, as their learnings and successes will provide inspiration and practical problem solving for those following them along the path. Having been through the behaviour change needed to reach Net Zero themselves, they are now advocating for it and are proving themselves to be?powerful change agents.

Net Zero Heroes have supported others on their sustainability journey by:

1. Advising customers and clients on the actions of their business in relation to sustainability and Net Zero (53%)
2. Advising suppliers on the importance of sustainability and Net Zero (48%)
3. Advising other businesses on the importance of sustainability and Net Zero (47%)

Read more about the findings from our Net Zero Monitor .