Words, Tech, Wellbeing, Finance, Fixperience

1. GB's words of the year

As the Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries announced ‘brain rot’ and ‘manifest’ as their words of the year, we felt inclined to join the trend and reflect on the words and phrases that summarise the past year for us at Good Business.?

It should come as no surprise that regulation is a top contender, followed closely by the equally scintillating double materiality assessment. As we work with our clients to adapt to the ever-evolving regulatory environment and prepare for ramped up legislative requirements (CSRD, CSDDD, EUDR...) you’d be lucky to last thirty minutes in the office before someone slips the R-word back into conversation.??

It’s also been a year focused on business and biodiversity, as we’ve launched our nature offering for businesses. The term nature positive has become a particularly popular phrase, as we are working with clients to understand, map and assess their nature-related impacts, risks, dependencies and opportunities.??

And we can’t forget how AI is shaping the way we work (for better and worse), and our frustration with slop, the term used for poor-quality AI generated content.??

Beyond our work, office conversation has been heavily focused on our homemade bakes, following our annual Bake-Off sweepstake (bake when your contestant gets knocked out, don’t bake if your contestant is the winner). We’ve had some outstanding bakes so far, and several more to come.??

2. Climate tech – silver bullet or lead balloon??

In recent months, there have been several setbacks for global climate efforts, with Trump’s return to power and a COP that fell short of expectations. In this context, it’s refreshing to see the UK emerging as a leader in the climate space. According to PwC, while global funding for climate tech is on the decline, the UK has bucked the trend, increasing its investment in the space by 24%, reaching ￡4.5 billion in 2024. Notably, over ￡1 billion of this total is directed towards AI-driven climate tech firms based in the UK.?

While we’re desperate to speak positively about how this new funding is going to be the key to efficient operations, energy use and ultimately a significant reduction in the UK’s and global carbon footprint, that isn’t exactly how we are feeling. The PwC report highlights that those industries with the highest emissions reduction potential, such as industry, food and agriculture are still receiving disproportionately low levels of funding.?

In a UN report concerned with the focus of investment on climate tech, they state that? “using new technologies as a silver bullet without addressing the root causes of sustainable development issues can bring new harms”. The UN report suggests that the solutions are already there – regenerative agriculture, insulating houses, etc. We just need to unlock funding in the right places.?

We’re not saying climate tech is bad, we hope it is a silver bullet. However, it’s so clear that change needs to happen now. Highly emitting industries need to be made less emitting, and fast. So, we’re going to keep striving to help our clients set, reach and over-achieve their Net-Zero goals, and we’ll hope regulation and funding mechanisms continue to evolve to help that happen!?

3. Measurement made simple?

As increasing emphasis is placed on the ‘S’ in ESG, the question of how to measure social impact is taking centre stage. Yet social impact measurement is still an evolving field and there isn’t a single framework that holds all the answers.?

That’s where MeasureUp steps in - a platform designed to help organizations better measure, understand and communicate their social value. For companies struggling with tools that are either too complicated or too expensive, MeasureUp offers a straightforward, accessible solution.?

The platform uses an evidence-based approach, combining economic, social, fiscal, and environmental data to provide a clear picture of social value and wellbeing. Its goal is simple: to make it easier for decision-makers to focus on what matters most and to invest in initiatives that can truly make a difference. While reducing rich and nuanced impacts into financial figures carries the risk of oversimplification, MeasureUp is a step in the right direction.?

It's a tool that could be especially useful for those bidding for public contracts, as the Social Value Act requires public sector organizations to consider social value during the procurement process. And, in an era where skepticism around “impact washing” is on the rise, it equips businesses with the insights needed to demonstrate and communicate genuine impact and quantify their social return on investment. Reducing social impact to a single financial value doesn’t tell the whole story but it has an important part to play.??

4. Finance for all??

Most small businesses say their inability to grow comes from a lack of available finance. How many times have you heard it seems easier to raise ￡100m than ￡100,000??

Well, perhaps that’s about to change.??

The British Business Bank (a government-owned development bank that exists to open up credit to SMEs as well as providing business advisory services) has launched a ￡150 million scheme to unlock ￡1 billion in loans from community-based finance firms, specifically targeting around 15,000 small businesses that traditional banks have previously turned away. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance access to finance for underserved businesses, particularly through Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), which are not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing financial support where conventional lenders fall short.??

CDFIs have specialist skills and knowledge that makes them well placed to serve this market, while the private sector lenders can provide much needed wholesale capital and support to CDFIs. The private sector will always tend to lend to less risky investment areas. However, if government backed finance can offset some of that risk, it can open up a much larger market for the private sector.?

5. Gift a fixperience?

Struggling to find a gift for someone who seems to have everything? Why not gift them new skills? The Fixing Factory - brought to you by climate action NGO Possible, the brains behind Climate Perks - has you covered with gift vouchers for their Fixperience workshops, the perfect way to inspire creativity and sustainability.?

These hands-on workshops make DIY repairs fun and approachable while helping participants reduce waste and save money. From fixing everyday electronics like TV remotes and toasters to mastering beginner soldering skills, there's something for everyone to enjoy and learn.?

The Fixing Factory is more than just a workshop space, it's a community-funded, non-profit project powered by passionate volunteers. Through customer donations and grants, they work to reduce e-waste, empower local communities, and protect the planet, all while saving you a little extra cash.?

Want to gift someone a workshop? Buy a voucher for a friend here, and they’ll receive a code to book the session of their choice. Or treat yourself and join a Fixperience Workshop today.