NatWest has become the first bank to join the government’s campaign to encourage small businesses to pledge to cut their carbon emissions.

Prime minister Boris Johnson and business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng have launched the Together for our Planet ‘Business Climate Leaders’ campaign to urge UK SMEs to take small practical steps to minimise their emissions to half by 2030 and net zero by 2050 via the UK Business Climate Hub.

Small businesses can use the hub to find practical tools, resources and advice to understand their emissions and develop a plan to tackle them, as well as providing ideas for steps they can take.

The campaign will also provide small businesses with access to some of the UK’s biggest businesses – including NatWest, Google, Scottish Power and BT.

“As the leading bank in the UK for businesses, we want to encourage, enable and lead the way in helping small businesses transition to a net zero carbon economy,” said chief executive of NatWest Group, Alison Rose. “From our recent SME Recovery Report, we know SMEs have the opportunity to help the UK meet its net zero targets by reducing their carbon footprint by 80 MtCO2e by 2030 through more sustainable business operating models.”

Rose added: “As COP26 Principal Banking Partner, we’re proud to support the Together for our Planet Business Climate Leaders campaign and partner with the government on this important initiative, especially in the run up to November’s UN Climate Summit. We will be encouraging as many of our customers to sign up as possible.”

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “Every step that a small business takes on their journey to net zero adds up – not only in protecting the health of the planet but also in future-proofing their business and encouraging new investment, new customers and new opportunities for growth.”

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