Climate change, energy prices and environmental regulations affect all organisations, creating opportunities and risks as the economy goes through a green transition.
This toolkit aims to help smaller businesses, who likely have fewer staff, less in-house expertise and smaller budgets to work on these issues.
Small businesses can speak to our Green Team for a free green business review for impartial advice to help get ahead in the green transition. The team develop bespoke reports with practical recommendations for cutting carbon and cost saving, with signposting to grants and tax exemptions.
Request a free green business review
Going green is good for business, here are five simple steps to save you money and energy.
In 2024, UK small and medium-sized enterprises saved around £450 on bills when they put in energy-saving measures. Save your business money today and reduce your energy usage by:
Under the latest government regulations, landlords of non-domestic properties must ensure they have a minimum energy performance certificate rating of E. Check the EPC for your building (GOV.UK).
Where you choose to spend your money truly makes a difference.
If you’re responsible for purchasing and disposing of items for your business, you can save money, strengthen your supply chain relationships, and reduce your carbon footprint by:
Your staff are not only your greatest advocates but often one of your largest expenses. Engaging your team to take pride in your business’s green credentials and empowering them to share this with customers can:
Three effective ways to engage your staff in your green initiatives:
• Encourage energy-saving habits by asking staff to turn off lights and appliances when not in use and to report issues like dripping taps, helping save money on utilities.
• Train and empower by educating your team about your green commitments and inspire them to confidently communicate these benefits to customers.
• Promote green travel by supporting sustainable commuting options such as carpooling, public transport or electric vehicles for your fleet.
Environmental regulation affects businesses of all size. Businesses need to manage waste and reduce packaging.
Businesses not managing regulations will be fined and will struggle to win contracts with bigger companies.
Take a look at the regulation section for more information.
You can claim enhanced capital allowances (a type of 100% first year allowance) for the following equipment, which must be new and unused:
Find more information about claiming capital allowances (GOV.UK)
The owner of the property used for your business can apply for the boiler upgrade scheme. This scheme provides a grant of £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump to replace your fossil fuel heating system. If you are off-gas and in a rural location, you may be eligible for £5,000 towards a biomass boiler.
The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points in parking facilities associated with business premises.
It provides up to £350 per socket for a maximum of 40 sockets. These chargers are to be used for staff or fleet vehicles but may be used for local residents outside of office hours.
Find more information about the Workplace charging scheme (GOV.UK). Applications close at midnight on 31 March 2026.
This grant provides funding for small and medium-sized businesses to buy and install electric vehicle (EV) charge points and supporting infrastructure for use by staff and fleet vehicles. The work can be for sockets you want to install now and in the future for things such as wiring and posts.
The grant covers 75% of the cost of the work, up to a maximum of £15,000. You can get up to £350 per charge point socket installed and up to £500 per parking space enabled with supporting infrastructure. You can receive up to five grants across five different sites.
Find more information about the electric vehicle infrastructure grant for staff and fleets (GOV.UK). Applications close at midnight on 31 March 2026.
Find out about Hampshire County Council’s support for EV charger installation
Further grants information for greener commercial vehicles and charging (Energy Saving Trust)
A group-buying scheme to increase the accessibility of purchasing solar panels. Typically, under this scheme, solar panel systems are offered at 30% to 35% less than the average market price. Homeowners, small or medium-sized businesses, and tenants (with a landlord’s permission) can apply for the scheme.
Find out more and register your interest with no obligation with Solar Together
This local grant scheme provides funding to local micro businesses and small to medium-sized enterprises to train and upskill their workforces. The aim is to give employees the knowledge they need to support business growth and organisational resilience and continue their professional development.
Applications are prioritised if they target green skills.
Find further details and how to apply for the Workforce Development Grant Scheme
More information about support for small businesses can be found on the finance and support page of the UK Business Climate Hub.
Grants that support start-ups and SMEs to develop innovative ideas. To be used for research and development, prototyping or scaling innovation. For more information visit Innovate UK
Offers up to £20,000 or 50% match for SMEs adopting digital technology used for for automation, data or AI integration. For more information visit Made Smarter
Supports access to match-funded debt finance such as loans for UK smaller businesses to use for working capital, growth, investment in assets or expansion. The scheme provides the lender with a 70% government backed guarantee
Find more information about the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) | British Business Bank
Supports UK businesses of all sizes, although eligibility varies. Connects business to grants, loans and investment to help fund growth, innovation, sustainability and business development.
This is a portal for multiple funders with various funds available. Open to UK non-profits, charities and social enterprises. Supports community, innovation, environmental and social impact projects.
This partnership brings eligible businesses together with academic teams from Portsmouth University to co-develop solutions. Grant-funded, it supports innovation, tech adoption and staff upskilling via live projects.
Find more information at Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) | University of Portsmouth
Partnership where SMEs collaborate with Southampton University. Funding covers project costs to be used for product development, innovation and embedding academic knowledge in business.
Find more information at Knowledge Transfer Partnerships | University of Southampton
Government portal to help find funding to help your business become greener. Keep an eye on it for updates.
For more information visit Find funding to help your business become greener (GOV.UK)
The apprenticeship levy funds the recruitment and training of apprentices. It can be accessed through Hampshire County Council.
We offer free, impartial advice for smaller businesses. Find out more and book your free and bespoke Green business review
Find advice for growing your green business on the Hampshire County Council website
Use the Carbon Trust carbon footprint calculator, which aims to help small and medium sized UK businesses start measuring, managing and reducing carbon emissions and reducing energy cost.
The Carbon Footprint Academy and Sustainable Business Network provides free learning materials to help your business go green.
The Carbon Trust emissions calculator can help business determine the carbon being used.
Live, interactive virtual training provider. Choose from hundreds of live interactive learning events including sustainable business training.
Access the free online learning at Love Basingstoke SEEDL training portal
The growth hub supports small businesses with growth and development to get to the next step. Available support includes business mentoring, marketing and sales, skills, trade, funding and finance, leadership and management.
For more information visit the Hampshire County Council Growth Hub
These flexible 10 to 16 week courses are there to help upskill businesses. Bootcamps include one on heat pumps.
Find out more about Skills Bootcamps (Hampshire County Council)
The college has an electric vehicle centre offering short courses to people from the automotive and electrical trades on electric and hybrid vehicles. It also supports local businesses with discounted electric vehicle maintenance.
North Hampshire Sustainable Business Network
A network organised by local businesses, local authorities and the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce offering free half-day workshops and a website with expert information for small to medium sized businesses. Visit the Sustainable Business Network website for more information and to sign up for free monthly updates and online sessions
There are several environmental and climate-related regulations that businesses in the UK need to act on. Being ready will help a business avoid reputational, financial and climate related damage.
Regulations to be aware of:
Keep up to date with environmental regulations that may affect your business by taking a look at:
Business closure or outage because of extreme weather caused by climate change is a risk.
Many SMEs lack the resources to recover quickly from such disruptions. According to the Environment Agency, flooding alone costs the UK economy £1.3 billion annually, with small businesses often bearing the brunt.
Making sure the risks caused by climate change are understood, managed and mitigated against is good business practice.
Consumers are willing to pay more to greener businesses
Over one-fifth of consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products and services and 45% of consumers consider a company's environmental reputation as a primary factor when choosing where to shop.
Supply chain opportunities
Many large organisations and government bodies require their suppliers to meet specific environmental standards. SMEs that obtain certifications like ISO 14001 or B Corp can gain a competitive edge by qualifying for contracts and partnerships. Suppliers of major contracts to public bodies will need a carbon reduction plan in place.
Environmental credentials attract investors
85% of investors said they consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as influential in their assessments. Businesses with poor corporate sustainability evidence may be seen as risky investment propositions or business partners.
Measuring and reporting greenhouse gases for business
Reporting is a good way to demonstrate a business is managing its greenhouse gases. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol provides standards and reporting guidance on greenhouse gases.
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