Whittles Signs up to the SME Climate Hub and Pledges to Get Business to Net Zero by 2040

We are very proud to have become one of the first local companies to join the SME Climate Hub, a global initiative launched to help small and medium-sized companies to adopt sustainable measures as part of their activities to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Managing Partner Rachel Skells explains why signing up to the SME Climate Hub was seen as a natural thing to do: “With COP26 in full flow and world leaders coming together to ensure that there is a global stand against the dangers of climate change, it is important that the pledges these world leaders make are reflected in a commitment and action from all strata of society. We are happy, through the SME Climate Hub initiative to join the other businesses, governments, cities and regions, universities and chambers of commerce that have already signed up to the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign. We must do what we can, and the first step is quite simply to join the race and encourage others to do the same.”

Having made this first step, the partners at Whittles are now looking to turn this pledge into action and are developing a robust, short and long term plan. Measures currently under consideration include:

• promoting virtual rather than in-person meetings where feasible to reduce unnecessary travel;
• moving more rapidly towards a paperless office environment;
• looking at the office facilities and monitoring space and energy requirements;
• using the hub’s Carbon Footprint Calculator to ensure nothing is left out; and
• inspiring employee, client and supplier climate action by being a positive role model.

If you are an SME and are interested in joining the race to zero, you can find out more here.