The UK has set an ambitious goal of becoming net zero by 2050, with many large businesses bringing the target forward to 2030. This requires the participation of all sectors of society, including small businesses, which make up 99% of the UK’s enterprises and employ 60% of the UK workforce. Many smaller businesses may feel overwhelmed or confused by how to achieve this without spending too much or disrupting current practices.
Low Carbon Lincolnshire aims to tackle this challenge and provide much needed support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Greater Lincolnshire.
Many businesses are enthusiastic about engaging with resource efficiencies and sustainability, but don't have the internal resources or expertise to navigate carbon reduction confidently, while others are motivated by compliance, supply chain pressures, or cost-saving opportunities but unsure where to start.
This programme will provide businesses with a light-touch entry route via a short diagnostic tool, guiding them to the most appropriate next step. Organisations with the potential for high carbon reduction impact will be supported to develop tailored Net Zero Roadmaps, while others will benefit from targeted masterclasses and peer engagement opportunities.
Working on behalf of Business Lincolnshire, a series of workshops and virtual peer-to-peer learning sessions will be delivered by the sustainable business support team at PECT (an environmental charity), who already work with over 300 organisations on sustainability and decarbonisation projects. The team has a solid understanding of the current trends and challenges in the field of sustainability and low carbon, as well as practical ways to implement them.
These masterclasses will be tailored to three levels of business maturity - beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Beginner Sessions will focus on establishing foundational knowledge and practice. Businesses will be supported to:
- Compile relevant sustainability data
- Develop or utilise a carbon footprint calculator
- Complete a baseline carbon footprint
- Create an initial sustainability action plan
Intermediate Sessions will build on these foundations, guiding businesses to:
- Translate action plans into tangible carbon reduction plans
- Identify and design feasible decarbonisation activities
- Prioritise interventions aligned with business operations and capacity
Advanced Sessions will adopt a more theoretical and strategic approach, enabling participants to:
- Explore Scope 3 emissions in depth
- Develop or refine sustainable procurement policies
- Undertake value chain mapping to identify opportunities for emissions reduction across their broader ecosystem
Each masterclass will be accompanied by a post-session resource pack including presentation materials, key insights, and curated guidance to support ongoing learning and implementation.
In parallel, three virtual peer-to-peer learning sessions will be delivered, facilitated by the delivery team. These will provide an open forum for businesses to collaborate, share learning and experiences, and explore key thematic questions.
The programme is available to SMEs located in Greater Lincolnshire.
Each business will undergo an onboarding process at the beginning of their journey to confirm eligibility and ensure that the workshops can be tailored to suit those attending.
Please help us by completing this survey to let us know which aspects would be most relevant to your business. Your answers will help us shape our programme to your specific sustainability needs.
To find out more check out the workshop schedule below, or email lowcarbon@pect.org.uk
