Calculate your businesses carbon footprint
The Carbon Trust has a free Carbon footprint calculator available for businesses. DEFRA’s small business user guide gives a clear and comprehensive step-by-step guide on measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon Audit Toolkit for Businesses
Our Toolkit is packed with lots of simple ways businesses can cut their overheads and reduce carbon emissions such as making sure heating is on a timer, or that computers and lighting are switched off at the end of each day.
Find out how your business could save money and reduce its carbon emissions by using our Carbon Audit Toolkit for Businesses.
Additional climate emergency resources for businesses
UK Business Climate Hub
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has produced a toolkit for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to support the Business Climate Leaders campaign. The campaign is the latest phase of the government’s UK-wide Together For Our Planet campaign, which is encouraging everyone, including small businesses, to cut carbon emissions and help the UK get to net zero by 2050.
Business Climate Leaders campaign stakeholder toolkit
UK Business Climate Hub
SMEs that sign up for the official SME Climate Commitment will receive access to resources and promotional materials to publicise their pledge, evidencing their climate credentials, and will also have the chance to feature in the campaign.
Carbon Reduction Grants for Business Scheme
The Carbon Reduction Grants for Business Scheme, jointly run by Somerset’s five local authorities, is helping local businesses save money and reduce their carbon footprints.
Read about some of the businesses that are benefitting from the grants of between £500 and £1,000. Please note that the scheme is currently closed to new applicants.
Climate Summit
Join businesses from across Somerset to learn, share and be inspired about reducing the climate impact of our companies – working together using small steps to deliver collective big wins.
Plastic Packaging Tax
As of April 2022, any plastic packaging that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic content will be subject to the Plastic Packaging Tax. This will be charged at a rate of £200 per metric tonne of plastic used.
Plastic packaging containing 30% or more recycled plastic still counts towards the 10-tonne threshold for packaging you manufacture or import in a 12-month period. Therefore, you must still keep records of it.
Helpful links for Plastic Packaging Tax
PPT guidance is available on GOV.UK. You can access this at either:
- Plastic Packaging Tax – A collection of guidance you should follow for Plastic Packaging Tax.
- Plastic Packaging Tax: steps to take – If you manufacture or import 10 or more tonnes of plastic packaging within a 12-month period, you may need to register for the tax.
- HM Revenue and Customs on LinkedIn – Check if your plastic packaging is in scope of the PPT.
- Packaging in and out of the scope of Plastic Packaging Tax
PPT mailing list
If you would like to be notified of updates relating to the tax, please email indirecttaxdesign.team@hmrc.gov.uk with ‘mailing list’ in the subject line.
Waste and Resources Action Programme - Business Recycling Resources - WRAP
Somerset Council and Somerset Waste Partnership are partnering with Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to pilot a DEFRA funded project aiming to increase business recycling rates.
Green Directories
To find your nearest green business have a look at some of our directories available for Somerset
- South Somerset Great Green Directory TBC
- Frome Green Directory
We also have a Somerset Wide Green Directory focused on businesses that can help retrofit homes across the County. Our directory can be found here. If you’d like to get your business registered click on submit your listing on the website