Business development and advice
Business sustainability
Business sustainability
Sustainability drives competitiveness. Protecting environmental resources and cutting carbon is good for business, boosting your credentials with customers, suppliers, staff and investors. Explore the benefits of sustainable business practices. Learn how our sustainability specialists can help you work more efficiently, build resilience, and seize low carbon opportunities.
Scotland and the journey to a low-carbon future
In November 2021, the world's eyes were on Glasgow as the city hosted COP26. We look at the challenges and opportunities of the transition to net zero and why Scotland is ideally placed to play a leading role in the global journey towards a greener, more sustainable, low-carbon future.
What is sustainability?
Business sustainability can help future-proof your business in the face of climate and nature challenges. It can also help you take advantage of the significant business opportunities related to these challenges.
Adapting to a net zero world brings change — but also opportunities. Cutting carbon and adopting sustainable business practices not only reduce business costs but also drive innovation, competitiveness and new ways of working.
Practical support for your business
Developing sustainable business practices will minimise the environmental impacts of your business, protect your business from risks and help you build business resilience.
Our sustainability specialists can provide a tailored plan to help you:
- Improve the efficiency of your premises, products or processes
- Cut costs
- Investigate renewable energy options
- Respond to future challenges
- Take advantage of climate change and net zero opportunities
5 tips on achieving business sustainability
Climate change is real. It’s happening now and it poses a genuine risk to business continuity for companies across Scotland. But where there's risk there are also opportunities.
Ian Carstairs leads our team of sustainability specialists. He discusses the benefits of sustainable business practices, and shares 5 tips that will help you manage the risks of climate change, build resilience, reduce costs and take advantage of net zero opportunities.
Read our guides on business sustainability
If you'd like to learn more about specific areas of business sustainability, we have in-depth guides that cover a number of useful topics.
Learn about developing an effective low carbon strategy
Find out how circular economy practices can benefit your business
Learn how sustainability-driven innovation boosts profits and resilience
Read our guide on calculating a carbon footprint for your business
Green recovery toolkit: Sustainability support and funding from our partners
One-to-one support
Get free one-to-one support from Business Energy Scotland and advice on how to make changes, including:
- A free energy assessment - to identify where and how you can make savings
- A comprehensive report showing key actions you can take and where you can get further support
Green office guide
Read a green office guide from Business Energy Scotland with ideas to help you create a greener, more energy efficient office.
Other guides and tools
Find a range of guides and tools from Business Energy Scotland designed to support businesses.
Case studies
Be inspired by what other have done. Read energy efficiency case studies from Business Energy Scotland.
More support services
Explore net zero guidance, support, consultancy and training available to Scottish businesses on the FindBusinessSupport website.
Green Jobs Funding
Learn more about the Green Jobs funding rounds to help businesses create jobs that contribute to improving the environment and achieving net zero emissions. The first round is now closed for applications. Further calls may be announced in the future.
Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed about future grant support and funding opportunities.
SME Loan Fund
Find guidance and apply for the SME Loan Fund on the Business Energy Scotland website. A Fund from the Scottish Government which can be used to install energy efficient measures such as lighting and heating upgrades, double glazing, insulation and much more.
Circular Economy Investment Fund
Read guidance and apply for the Circular Economy Investment Fund on the Zero Waste Scotland website. Grant funding for SMEs with innovative ideas for projects which have the ability to deliver carbon savings and create jobs.
Food and drink business support
Get tailored, free food and drink business support from Zero Waste Scotland. This is available for hospitality, manufacturing and retail businesses who want to reduce their food waste. Support is also available for the public sector to reduce food waste.
More funding opportunities
Browse net zero funding available to Scottish businesses on the FindBusinessSupport website.
Find NetRegs environmental guidance for business on the NetRegs website.
SEPA, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency has created NetRegs, providing environmental guidance for businesses in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The dedicated website provides free advice, guidance and online tools about environmental regulations and how to comply with them.
Get practical advice for businesses and professionals from Nature Scot - Scotland's nature agency - on a range of topics from planning and development to land and sea management.
Race to Zero
There's never been greater awareness of the need to reduce emissions for the good of the planet, or a better time to start. The UN’s Race To Zero is a global campaign bringing together businesses, cities, regions and investors to help create a healthy, resilient and zero carbon recovery. Over 3000 businesses across the globe have already signed up to the initiative.
Find out how to get involved on the UN Climate Change website.
Need some expert advice?
Our specialists are on hand to answer your questions and get you started on your sustainability journey.