Brian Whittle MSP is challenging the Scottish Government to give more help and encouragement to small and medium sized businesses who want to reach net-zero.
His call comes as a survey from Grant Thornton LLP, one of the UK’s leading accountancy firms, suggests that while the vast majority of smaller businesses see the value in reducing their carbon footprint, many are unsure how to go about it.
Whittle, the Scottish Conservatives spokesman for the Environment raised the study in Holyrood with Michael Matheson, the Cabinet Secretary for Net-Zero, urging him to put a greater focus on providing guidance and financial support to smaller firms.
With many businesses now finding their customers are taking a greater interest in the environmental impact of the products and services they buy, Brian believes that there are opportunities to grow Scotland’s economy and improve sustainability at the same time.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“The vast majority of businesses in Scotland are small and medium sized enterprises, but much of the discussion from the Scottish Government around cutting carbon emissions in the business world is focussed on Scotland’s few big companies.
Every business in Scotland needs to think about how to become more sustainable, but it’s just as important to help small businesses make those changes as it is the large ones. In fact, smaller firms are often able to change more quickly.
Taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint can have long term benefits for businesses, beyond the environmental ones. Investing in energy efficiency measures can reduce running costs and customers are increasingly looking at environmental credentials when deciding who to buy from.
I’m calling on the Scottish Government to do more to support small businesses to make the most of the opportunities that moving towards net-zero can bring.”
