Net Zero Made Simple: A Small Business Guide to Sustainability

Net zero

Net zero is a goal to strive for, achieved by balancing greenhouse gas emissions produced and those removed from the atmosphere. Net zero for your business means rethinking operations, but it also opens the door to grants, incentives and reputational benefits. The UK government is committed to achieving net zero by 2050.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy from sources that replenish naturally, such as wind, solar and hydro. However, renewable does not mean unlimited. It’s sustainable as the source keeps coming back. 

Low carbon energy

Low-carbon energy comes from sources that produce far fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. Examples include solar, wind and hydro power, which have much lower carbon footprints compared to coal or gas. 

Carbon neutral

The term carbon neutral is used to define a person, company or country when the carbon dioxide they emit is balanced by the amount they offset. Carbon neutrality often relies on offsetting your carbon footprint.

Nuclear energy

Nuclear energy is a zero-carbon source of power. It’s produced through a process called nuclear fission, where atoms are split to release energy. This process generates a large amount of heat, which is then used to produce electricity.  You can read more about nuclear energy here.

Sustainability

Sustainability is the principle of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by balancing environmental, social and economic considerations.

Green

Green energy refers to power generated from sources and methods that do not damage the natural environment.

What options do you have to make your business energy more ‘green’?

As a small business owner, you have many options to help improve your carbon neutrality. These include:

Solar panels 

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, reducing your businesses reliance on the electricity grid. Solar panel installations come in many different sizes, but all have an impact against rising costs and can lower energy bills.

Battery storage

Batteries are able to store excess solar energy for use later, such as peak demand times or during power outages. This helps to maximise the value of solar and maintain more predictable energy costs.

Electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) run on electricity rather than traditional fuels helping to cut transport emissions and reduce reliance on petrol or diesel. Charging infrastructure can be scaled to suit different fleet sizes making EV adoption flexible and future proof.

Air source heat pumps

Air source heat pumps draw heat from the outside air and transfer it indoors, providing efficient heating and cooling. They use electricity but deliver more energy than they consume, helping to lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. 

Green Tariffs

Green tariffs work by suppliers matching your usage with renewable generation or offsets. These tariffs used to be more expensive than standard tariffs, but due to renewable generation costs falling green tariffs are now a similar price to standard tariffs. We’re launching ours this year! 

Smart Meters

Smart Meters give you accurate, real-time data on your business’s energy consumption. With this insight, you can identify waste and inefficiencies, allowing you to make targeted changes to help your business become greener.

Case study spotlight: Rose Dene testimonial.

Don’t just take our word for it - hear directly from small business owners making the switch. Gillian, owner of Rose Dene, has already embraced solar panels to optimise her energy usage and reduce bills. She’s now exploring battery storage to take her sustainability journey even further.

Benefits & support available

Making the move toward renewable energy isn’t just about reducing carbon emissions – it’s about unlocking real business advantages. For small businesses across the UK, renewable and low-carbon energy solutions can deliver: 

• Lower energy bills – Unlock savings by generating cleaner energy onsite or switching to greener tariffs.
• Predictable budgeting – Stabilise energy spend with long‑term contracts or renewable tariffs.
• Sustainability credentials – Demonstrate your commitment to net zero, appealing to eco-conscious customers and partners
• Operational efficiency – Optimise energy usage with smart battery storage, ensuring power is available during peak demand
• Future-proofing – Position your business to benefit from upcoming low-carbon policies and incentives

Access to support 

• Government schemes & grants – Access funding opportunities that reduce upfront costs and accelerate payback.
• Advisory services – Benefit from expert guidance on energy audits, carbon reporting, and long‑term sustainability planning. You can download extra support here https://www.edfenergy.com/sme-business/small-business-energy-playbook
• Community initiatives – Collaborate with local projects that share renewable energy resources and knowledge. 

Practical next steps for businesses

Moving toward net zero doesn’t have to be complicated. It all starts with smart meters – giving you the visibility to understand your energy use in detail. With that insight, you can unlock access to green tariffs, explore the support available and take small but meaningful steps – whether that’s installing renewables, investing in storage or joining local initiatives. Each action lowers costs, strengthens resilience and builds your sustainability credentials. The most important step is simply to begin.

Discover the support available and start your net zero journey here today.