Walkthrough guide
Be part of the change!
As an SME, incorporating sustainability into your business or organisation helps support a just transition in Scotland. A just transition means shifting the current economic model to include climate resilience and net zero, in a way that’s fair for everyone.
With useful guides, knowledge and examples, our free toolkit is a great place to start. If you’re completely new to sustainability, or further along with your journey, we’ve got something for you.
Designed by business, for business
These resources tackle the unique challenges SMEs face when adopting more sustainable practices. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, supported by Scottish Enterprise, have worked closely with a group of SMEs across the Glasgow City region. Through their experience of participating in Step Up To Net Zero, these businesses and organisations have helped to shape the content of these resources.
What’s on offer?
Free access to practical, tailored solutions that cater to the diverse needs of organisations across different sectors.
- Sector specific guidance on navigating a range of sustainability, net zero and circular focussed activity.
- Practical examples from SMEs who have already started their sustainability journey.
- Tools and templates to help you get started.
Where to begin
These resources are designed for you to choose where to start based on your current needs or focus. Embracing sustainability and addressing the environmental impact of your organisation can feel like a daunting task, but we’re here to help!
Step one
Check out our downloadable initial assessment to establish where you are on your sustainability journey.
Step two
Select the sector that represents your business or organisation. Using the results from your assessment, we’d recommend reading through each of the resource introduction pages to figure out your starting point.
We’ve grouped all the information into five core resource areas:
- Carbon Footprint – work towards calculating your carbon footprint
- Travel – tips and examples on how to make more sustainable travel choices
- Procurement & Supply Chain – make sure your supply chain supports your goals
- Waste Management – highlight and reduce areas of waste in your business
- Policies – communicate your goals and practices, internally and externally
Each group has different stages, depending on where you’re at with your existing sustainability journey:
- Stage 1 / Beginner
- Stage 2 / Intermediate
- Stage 3 / Expert
Step three
Work through each resource group that is relevant for your business or organisation. Track your progress using the below tracker table.
There are downloadable tools and guides that will help you to create documents and measure your environmental impact. These can then be used to demonstrate your work towards embedding sustainability, becoming net zero or embracing the circular economy model.
You could use these documents to support your:
- Funding applications
- Bid and Tender processes
- Marketing materials to help differentiate you from your competition
- Communicate your sustainability credentials to your clients, customers and visitors
Who’s responsible?
Before you dive in to any of the sections, you may find it helpful to appoint a Green Champion, or build a Green Team. Sustainability is part of everyone’s role, however building Green Champions or a Green Team can help:
- Develop sustainability initiatives
- Increase employee engagement across your business
- Support long-term growth and innovation in a sustainable manner
Download our Green Team guidance sheet!