by Brianna Crandall — September 6, 2010—A new report from the U.K.’s Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) titled Making Sense of Going Green: Small Businesses and the Low Carbon Economy says the British government must include measures to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) cut carbon emissions through the upcoming Energy Security and Green Economy bill.
The report examines how SMEs can better contribute to the government’s carbon emissions 2020 targets and recommends a range of measures, including expanding the government’s current green loan program for small businesses and offering incentives for firms that improve the energy efficiency of their buildings.
The report from the FSB calls on the government to introduce a loan plan for SMEs that would see banks, energy and construction firms pay the upfront costs of major building energy efficiency upgrades; encourage firms in the worst G-rated buildings to invest in obtaining an F-rating; and waive planned increases to business rates for firms that improve building energy efficiency.
The report states, “The potential of the UK’s 4.8 million small businesses to contribute to the fight against climate change and drive green economic growth…must be harnessed when the government publishes its forthcoming non-domestic Green Deal and Energy bill.”
