UK Manufacturing: From Now to Net Zero

Read time: 60 mins        Added: 03/03/21

UK Manufacturing: From Now to Net Zero

UK Manufacturing: From Now to Net Zero

The latest insight focusing on the specific issues and opportunities facing SME manufacturers and providing them with a roadmap to Net Zero.

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SME manufacturers face a fresh challenge – the drive towards sustainability and Net Zero carbon emissions. Based on research and conversations with SMEs across the UK this report explores progress already made by SMEs towards Net Zero, builds on specific issues and opportunities facing SME manufacturers and provides them with a roadmap to Net Zero.

Information is key to getting started

The road to Net Zero is not the same for every SME manufacturer but getting started means becoming knowledgeable.

Almost a quarter (23%) of SME manufacturers said they lacked knowledge in achieving Net Zero and around one in five said there’s a lack of skills and expert guidance.

To gain a deeper understanding of the issues SME manufacturers face, during quarter four of 2021, alongside the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and High Value Manufacturing Catapults, supported by the Manufacturing Technologies Association and the Engineering and Manufacturing Alliance, we hosted a number of roundtable events with senior leaders from SME manufacturing and engineering businesses across the UK. During these events, we explored the challenges, barriers and opportunities they face as they work towards achieving Net Zero and we have drawn together the top five takeaways:

  1. Building a Net Zero culture
  2. Creating sustainability skills
  3. Industry collaboration
  4. Focus on Buildings & Energy
  5. Understanding Transport & Supply Chains

To build on the above and to help businesses move from being aware of the challenge and opportunity of Net Zero, to developing a strategy and taking action, we have developed:

Five steps to Manufacturing Net Zero

  1. Getting started
  2. Short-term wins and employee engagement
  3. Measure, mobilise, monitor
  4. Navigating the road ahead
  5. Heroes of Net Zero

Wherever you are on the journey, you can use the links within the guide to find ideas and support. If you are a Lloyds Bank customer please speak to your Relationship Manager for more information.

From Now to Net Zero: A Practical Guide for SMEs

Small and medium-sized businesses play a vital role in sustainability and the journey to Net Zero. Our research report outlines a five-step plan for SMEs to get on that journey.

Read the insights

Sustainability Hub

Supporting UK businesses transition to low-carbon, sustainable business models and operations to pursue new clean growth opportunities.

Visit our Sustainability Hub

Clean Growth Financing Initiative

Access discounted lending for green purposes from small improvements to large-scale infrastructure.

Clean Growth Financing