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How UK SMEs could harness a £175bn revenue opportunity

Our 2022 Springboard to Sustainable Recovery report highlights a £175billion revenue opportunity for the UK economy between now and 2030.

The imperative to tackle climate change – still the biggest single issue facing humanity – is more pressing than ever.

Alison Rose
Chief Executive Officer, NatWest Group

 

We’ve launched our 2022 Springboard to Sustainable Recovery report. Take a look at the report’s key insights and read the full report (PDF 8658KB) for more.

 

Key insights - 2022 Springboard to Sustainable Recovery

  • The UK needs 40,000 new SMEs in key sectors between now and 2030, if the country is to meet its net zero ambitions
  • With the right support SMEs could contribute up to 50% of UK 2030 emission targets through pursuing decarbonisation.
  • UK economy could benefit from a potential £175billion revenue opportunity by 2030, with over 260,000 new jobs created in the process, as it aims to meet world-leading decarbonisation and emissions targets.
  • These targets offer an opportunity for UK businesses to access other markets with their low-carbon goods and services, with the investment required to decarbonise Europe in the next ten years around five times that required in the UK.
  • Top four actions businesses can take are insulating, solar, electric vehicle adoption and low-carbon power that could generate savings of £12,000 per year*

* Based on a mid-size restaurant with 60 employees that owns its own premises, Springboard to Sustainability  Report page 24.

 

Our CEO Alison Rose said:

“The imperative to tackle climate change – still the biggest single issue facing humanity – is more pressing than ever. But in the context of a turbulent macroeconomic environment, with the prospect of a recession in the UK, and the increase cost of living due to rising prices, SMEs face tighter cash flows and fears for the future of their business.

“Yet against this backdrop, we find that SMEs in the UK are well placed and pivotal to drive the next decade of decarbonisation in the UK, and to harness growing revenue opportunities. This creates opportunities for business of all shapes and sizes, and at NatWest we will do everything we can to help businesses access that opportunity.”

 

Lord Nicholas Stern said:

“It is now common cause that the drive to a net zero economy will take strong, internationally co-ordinated investment. A step-up in finance is absolutely crucial to speed up action and deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement. Every government and business globally should be focussed on the investments and innovation required to reach net zero as quickly as possible.

“There are big opportunities for SMEs to break into other markets with low-carbon offerings and to make their mark the larger decarbonisation challenge. The additional revenue that could be unlocked, both locally and abroad, for SMEs could not only create jobs, but also grow the whole UK economy and contribute to the development of historically underdeveloped nations.”

Springboard to Sustainable Recovery

Read the full Springboard to Sustainable Recovery report to find out how the UK’s SMEs could capitalise on a £175 billion revenue opportunity by focusing on decarbonisation.

Read now (PDF 8658KB)

Caution about this Report. This Springboard to Sustainability Report (the ‘Report’) (i) has been prepared by NatWest Group plc (together with its subsidiaries the ‘NatWest Group’) for information and reference purposes only; (ii) is intended to provide non exhaustive, indicative and general information only; (iii) does not purport to be comprehensive; and (iv) does not provide any form of legal, tax, investment, accounting, financial or other advice. The key findings, estimates and projections in this Report are based on various industry and other information and are based on assumptions and estimates and the result of market research, and are not statements of historical fact. 

Disclaimer:

This material is published by NatWest Group plc (“NatWest Group”), for information purposes only and should not be regarded as providing any specific advice. Recipients should make their own independent evaluation of this information and no action should be taken, solely relying on it. This material should not be reproduced or disclosed without our consent. It is not intended for distribution in any jurisdiction in which this would be prohibited. Whilst this information is believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified by NatWest Group and NatWest Group makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) of any kind, as regards the accuracy or completeness of this information, nor does it accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising in any way from any use made of or reliance placed on, this information. Unless otherwise stated, any views, forecasts, or estimates are solely those of the NatWest Group Economics Department, as of this date and are subject to change without notice.

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