WORKING TOGETHER
WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO CHANGE
Small businesses can make a massive difference
Why do we care?
Sometimes it can feel like small businesses get left behind. When I first saw the information about the Amazon Climate Pledge looking for organisations I wanted to get involved. It felt like a really good platform to join. Then I looked at the business involved; Pepsi, Microsoft, Heineken, Uber, Hermes……. and I thought Amazon will not take us seriously. But, and this is a big but, if small businesses aren’t given the power to make the change, then universal change will never happen!
Did you know that SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) account for 99.9% of the UK business population (5.6 million businesses). SMEs account for three fifths of the employment and around half of turnover in the UK private sector. Together, small businesses make a massive difference to the economy, to the climate and to the community.
In April 2021, we contacted Amazon and made our Climate Pledge. On March 14th 2022 Harmony Music School were announced by Amazon as a signatory for the Carbon Net Zero Climate Pledge. This is a massive privilege and responsibility. We are currently one of just over 300 companies to be selected in the world to be part of the programme and we sit alongside some of the billion turnover organisations, so when you look at those that are making the pledge you will see BT, ASOS, Visa, Mercedes, HP and little old Harmony Music School – No pressure then 😉
This is where it starts to get real……
Where do we start…….
Say you are going to do it, and then figure out how!
Once you say yes to change it actually starts the process snowballing. First, we got in touch with Amazon and asked to join the signatories. Then, we signed up to the SME Climate Hub Programme and got in touch with local organisations, The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, The Energy Purchasing Group and Sheffield City Council. Our energy audit is in the pipeline and our practical approach is taking shape.
We know that there is a lot to do, but we are driven to make a difference and hold our heads up high and make our impact a positive one, for you, our community and the environment.
Our Pledge
- Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis.
- Implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business change and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies.
- Take actions to neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets to achieve net zero annual carbon emissions by 2040
So what does that mean in practical terms?
- We have moved to a 100% renewables energy provider saving 6.9 tonnes
- We have replaced 88 halogen bulbs to LED fittings at our own cost
- We are awaiting an official energy audit
- We are looking at installing electric charging points
- We are looking at onsite composting
- We recycle paper, card, metal, plastic, glass and packaging
- All electronics are recycled, resold or gifted through approved suppliers
- We have removed single use plastics
- We upcycle or renew furniture where possible
- Paperless internal communications
- Use a green hosting company for our website and emails
- We are going to host local litter picks
- We have joined the Sheffield and Rotherham wildlife trust so that we can offer practical help in our local environment
WHAT ARE AIMS?
OUR GOALS FOR CHANGE
TOGETHER WE GOT THIS
Never underestimate the power that individuals have to change the world
SMALL IS AGILE AND FLEXIBLE