Sustainability & ESG
Carbon footprints, net zero, ESG reporting, and the sustainability metrics that matter for modern SMEs.
20 articles
What is ESG?
A plain-English introduction to Environmental, Social and Governance criteria — what they mean, why they matter, and how SMEs are increasingly expected to engage with them.
What are Scope 1, 2 and 3 Emissions?
A clear explanation of the three scopes of greenhouse gas emissions used in carbon reporting — and why Scope 3 is the hardest and most important for most businesses.
What is a Carbon Footprint?
An explanation of what a business carbon footprint is, how it is measured, and the practical first steps an SME can take to calculate and reduce it.
What is Net Zero?
A plain-English explanation of what net zero means, how it differs from carbon neutrality, and what a credible net zero commitment looks like for a small business.
What is Carbon Offsetting?
An explanation of how carbon offsetting works, the different types of offset, their limitations, and how to use them responsibly as part of a broader climate strategy.
What is ESG Reporting?
An overview of ESG reporting — what it involves, which frameworks and standards apply, and what level of disclosure is realistic and useful for an SME.
What is Greenwashing?
A clear explanation of greenwashing — what it is, how regulators and customers identify it, and how SMEs can make credible sustainability claims without legal or reputational risk.
What is B Corp Certification?
An explanation of B Corp certification — what it measures, what the assessment and verification process involves, and whether it is right for your SME.
What is the Circular Economy?
A plain-English explanation of the circular economy model, how it differs from the traditional linear economy, and what it means in practice for SMEs.
What is a Sustainable Supply Chain?
An explanation of what a sustainable supply chain means, why businesses are held responsible for their suppliers' practices, and how SMEs can begin to assess and improve supply chain sustainability.
What is Social Value?
An explanation of social value — how it is defined, measured and reported, and why it is increasingly relevant for SMEs tendering for public and private sector contracts.
What is Corporate Governance for SMEs?
A practical explanation of corporate governance for small and medium-sized businesses — what it means, why it matters, and the key governance structures every SME should have in place.
What is Energy Intensity?
An explanation of energy intensity as a business metric — how it is calculated, why it is more useful than absolute energy consumption for tracking efficiency, and how SMEs can use it.
What are Waste Reduction Metrics?
An explanation of the key metrics used to track and manage business waste, how to measure waste diversion and reduction, and why waste data matters for ESG reporting.
What is DEI and Why Does it Matter?
A plain-English explanation of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — what the terms mean, why DEI matters for business performance, and practical steps SMEs can take.
What is an ESG Rating?
An explanation of ESG ratings — who produces them, what they measure, why they vary so much between providers, and what SMEs should understand about how they are used.
What is TCFD?
An explanation of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures — what it requires, who it applies to, and what SMEs need to know as it becomes embedded in mainstream reporting.
What is Sustainable Procurement?
An explanation of sustainable procurement — what it means, how organisations use it to drive ESG improvements through their supply chains, and what SMEs need to demonstrate to win contracts.
What is a Carbon Tax?
An explanation of carbon taxes and carbon pricing mechanisms — how they work, how the UK Emissions Trading Scheme operates, and what SMEs need to understand about carbon cost exposure.
What is Environmental Compliance?
An overview of environmental compliance for SMEs — the key UK regulations that apply, the consequences of non-compliance, and how to build a basic compliance framework.