When you run a small or medium-sized business, sustainability can sometimes feel like a luxury reserved for big corporations with bigger budgets. But in reality, becoming climate positive is about more than just reducing your impact. It’s about actively giving back to the planet, which is easier to achieve than you might think.

At PE, we believe that meaningful environmental change doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In fact, there are simple, cost-effective steps any business can take to make a difference.

Here’s how.

1. Switch to Certified Green Tariffs

One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your carbon footprint is by switching to a 100% certified renewable electricity tariff. At PE, we offer fully certified green energy as part of our bundled services – with no confusing jargon or surprise mark-ups.

Not only can this simple switch zero your scope 2 emissions, but it signals to your customers, partners and staff that you are committed to being more sustainable.

2. Engage Your Team in Sustainable Habits

Fostering a climate-conscious culture often costs little but can lead to meaningful, long-term behavioural shifts that reduce waste and inspire wider change. Encourage small changes like turning off unused devices, reducing single-use plastics, water conservation and rethinking printing.

You can also nominate sustainability champions within your team to lead green initiatives or set shared challenges (like Meat-Free Mondays or cycle-to-work schemes). Engaged teams are more likely to stick with positive habits and help drive sustainability from the inside out.

3. Offset the Rest

Even the most efficient businesses will have some unavoidable emissions. That’s where carbon offsetting comes in.

We partner with verified, high-quality offset schemes that allow you to balance your footprint by supporting projects that verifiably reduce or remove carbon from the atmosphere — such as reforestation or renewable energy schemes – when used alongside direct reductions.

4. Reduce Business Travel

Virtual meetings have become the norm, and that’s a good thing for the planet. Reducing unnecessary travel can significantly lower your business’s carbon footprint.

Encourage remote collaboration where possible, promote train travel over flying, and incentivise greener transport options like carpooling, cycling or using public transport. It’s good for the environment and your bottom line.

5. Track Usage and Cut Waste with enfiniti

You can’t manage what you can’t measure – and that’s where enfiniti, our real-time energy management platform, comes in. With enfiniti, you can:

• Monitor your electricity, gas and water usage
• Spot inefficiencies and waste
• Generate custom reports for sustainability reporting
• Track the impact of changes over time

By providing real-time insights, enfiniti supports both carbon reduction and operational efficiency – often helping businesses cut unnecessary usage and control costs.

6. Cut Paper Waste and Go Digital

Shifting to digital processes is one of the most accessible changes SMEs can make – often low or no cost, and with the added benefit of streamlining operations. Swap printed invoices, brochures and reports for digital versions. Encourage e-signatures, use cloud storage, and eliminate unnecessary printing in the office.

Not only does this reduce your environmental impact, it also streamlines operations and improves document security.

7. Tell Your Story

Sustainability is about more than just doing the right thing – it’s a journey not a destination, so showing your customers and stakeholders that you’re taking action is a key part of that. Small changes can have a big brand impact when you share them with transparency. Just like we do.

We can help you track and communicate your climate achievements clearly, giving you the tools to build trust, attract talent, and stand out in your industry. 

8. Choose Sustainable Suppliers

The sustainability of your supply chain matters just as much as your own footprint. Look for local, low-carbon, or ethically certified suppliers where possible, especially for recurring purchases like packaging, office supplies, or catering.

You don’t need to make the switch overnight, but gradually building relationships with eco-conscious partners will multiply your positive impact.

9. Bundle and Save – Financially and Environmentally

Bundling your utilities through PE means more than just convenience. It gives you a single point of accountability, complete visibility across all services, and the opportunity to integrate sustainability more easily across services like electricity, gas, water, and telecoms – with greater control and oversight built in.

And when your essential services are managed in one place, it’s easier to measure impact, reduce waste, and invest in long-term environmental goals.

10. Support Local Environmental Projects

If your budget allows, consider contributing to grassroots sustainability efforts in your local area. Whether it’s sponsoring a tree planting initiative, donating to a community garden, or volunteering time for clean-up campaigns, these small actions help build goodwill and environmental impact close to home.

It’s a great way to involve your team and make sustainability a shared mission and not just a tick-box exercise.

Sustainability Within Reach

Going climate positive doesn’t mean overhauling your business overnight. With the right tools, a bit of guidance, and a partner that gets SMEs, you can take confident steps towards a greener future – even on a limited budget. Progress over perfection.