Green in 60 Minutes: New Free Tool Unlocks SME Climate Action

LONDON – April 14, 2026 – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can now develop a customized plan to slash energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint in about the time it takes for a lunch break. A new, free online tool, the Climate Action Planner, launched today by the SME Climate Hub, promises to turn what was once a complex and costly endeavor into a simple, one-hour process.

The initiative, a partnership with sustainability tech firm Giki and supported by the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), is designed to empower the backbone of the global economy. SMEs represent around 90% of all businesses worldwide and are a massive economic force, yet they have historically been sidelined in the climate conversation, often lacking the time, expertise, and capital to implement meaningful environmental strategies.

This new tool aims to demolish those barriers, offering a guided, practical path for businesses to take immediate and impactful steps towards sustainability.

The Hour-to-Green Revolution

For many small business owners, the prospect of creating a climate strategy conjures images of expensive consultants and weeks of administrative work. The Climate Action Planner directly confronts this perception by simplifying the entire process. Users are guided through a short series of questions about their business operations, size, and sector. In response, the platform generates a tailored, step-by-step roadmap for action.

Drawing from a comprehensive database of more than 750 potential actions, the tool moves beyond generic advice. A small bakery will receive different recommendations than a local accounting firm or a light manufacturing plant. This bespoke approach ensures the suggested actions are relevant, achievable, and impactful for that specific business.

"For many small business owners, climate action can feel complicated and expensive," said Pamela Jouven, Director of the SME Climate Hub, in a statement. "This tool focuses on what is practical - helping businesses lower bills and take action straight away."

This focus on practicality is critical. Research shows that while many SME owners are concerned about the climate, they are often overwhelmed by a lack of resources and clear information. By condensing the planning phase from weeks to under an hour, the tool democratizes climate action, making it accessible to millions of businesses for the first time.

Beyond Green: A Strategic Business Imperative

The launch arrives at a time when sustainability is rapidly shifting from a 'nice-to-have' to a core component of business resilience and competitiveness. The Climate Action Planner is framed not just as an environmental tool, but as a strategic asset for long-term financial health.

Energy efficiency is the most immediate and tangible benefit. Experts estimate that the average SME can cut its energy bills by up to 30% by implementing efficiency measures, with many low-cost actions offering a return on investment in under 18 months. Simple changes, like switching to LED lighting, can save a business hundreds of pounds per year. In an era of volatile energy prices, such savings provide a crucial buffer and enhance operational stability.

"This isn't just about going green - it's about staying competitive," Jouven noted. "By cutting energy waste and improving efficiency, small businesses can reduce costs, protect themselves from volatile energy prices and keep up with growing expectations from customers and supply chains."

These expectations are a powerful market force. A growing number of consumers actively seek out sustainable brands, while larger corporations are increasingly scrutinizing the environmental credentials of their SME suppliers to clean up their own supply chains. Businesses with a credible climate plan are better positioned to win contracts, attract investment, and retain talent, as employees increasingly prioritize working for value-aligned companies.

A Crowded Field, A Critical Need

While other carbon calculators and sustainability tools exist, the Climate Action Planner distinguishes itself by focusing on the creation of an actionable plan, not just a footprint measurement. Its launch addresses a well-documented gap between awareness and action within the SME sector.

SMEs are responsible for a substantial portion of business-related emissions—as much as 50% in the UK alone—yet they are often exempt from the climate regulations imposed on larger corporations. Furthermore, a 2025 survey from the SME Climate Hub found that 80% of SMEs reported receiving little to no government support for their climate efforts. This leaves them in a precarious position: vital to meeting national Net Zero targets but lacking the tailored support to do so.

The new tool acts as a direct intervention, providing the practical guidance and structure that has been missing. It complements broader government initiatives like the UK Business Climate Hub, which provides advice and resources but may not offer the same level of personalized, step-by-step planning.

"We believe every SME should be able to build a climate action plan. For many, time and cost are barriers," said Giki Co-founder Jo Hand. "That's why we're so excited to partner with SME Climate Hub to deliver the Climate Action Planner."

The Power of Partnership

The initiative's strength lies in the collaboration between its key players. The SME Climate Hub, led by the We Mean Business Coalition and Exponential Roadmap Initiative, brings a global network and a clear mission to accelerate SME decarbonization. The UK Government's support through DESNZ lends policy weight and aligns the tool with national Net Zero ambitions.

The technological and user-experience expertise comes from Giki, a B Corp social enterprise known for its successful 'Giki Zero' platform, which helps individuals and employees track and reduce their personal carbon footprints. Giki’s track record in breaking down complex environmental data into simple, engaging, and actionable steps has been pivotal in developing the new planner for businesses.

This powerful coalition represents a new model for driving climate action: leveraging global expertise and government support to deliver a highly accessible, localized tool. By empowering millions of individual businesses to make tangible changes, the collective impact could be immense, helping to bridge the gap between ambitious national climate targets and the on-the-ground reality for small business owners. The tool provides a clear signal that for small businesses, the journey to sustainability is no longer a path they have to walk alone.