Publication

Research Report

Action Zero: The Wenta experience of guiding small firms on their net zero journey

Published: 11 September 2023

ERC Research Report

Author

ERC

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are under increasing pressure to act on cutting emissions and helping the UK to move towards achieving the net zero target. Since 2022, Wenta has been offering a new service – Action Zero – that is putting micro ventures and small businesses at the forefront of tackling climate change by producing greener products and services.
According to research from the SME Climate Hub, the top reasons SMEs aren’t taking climate action are:
• They don’t have the right skills
• Lack of funds
• There are other more important priorities
• Lack of time
• Customers are not asking for it

Wenta recognises these barriers and supports our clients, including the voluntary sector, to overcome them. We are seeing them making progress with the skills needed in continuing to address reduction of emissions and to take advantage of opportunities in a greener economy.
Wenta has drawn on previous research done by the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) on SMEs and net zero to inform the design of the Action Zero service. We approached the ERC in the early stages of the service roll-out to propose a new partnership that would enable us to better understand the net zero journey in small firms signing up to the programme, and provide a robust evidence base to help develop future advisory and support services to help the UK’s micro and small firms move towards net zero. This report presents the first findings from the ERC’s research, and we look forward to continuing working in partnership with them as the service develops.

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