BT and Ericsson to support SMEs with climate action platform

A group of companies including BT and Ericsson are part of a new initiative that will see them aim to halve their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and create a new climate action platform for SMEs.

Launched by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, the SME Climate Hub will provide small businesses with tools, knowledge, and best practice for implementing a strategy which will help them incorporate sustainability into their businesses.

Aside from BT and Ericsson, 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders include Unilever, Ikea, and Swedish telecoms company Telia.

Together, they have committed to integrating climate into their business strategy and “driving climate action”.

The SME Climate Hub aims to motivate SMEs to halve their greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 by providing them with tools and resources to aid them in reducing their emissions and strengthen their business resilience.

The initiative is recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign and provides the participating SMEs with the opportunity to unlock direct commercial incentives.

Ericsson’s head of Group Sourcing Moti Gyamlani described the SME Climate Hub as “a great initiative to collectively support many companies to start their climate action”.

As well as supporting the SME Climate Hub, the 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders will focus on driving climate action across their supply chains.

Commenting on the announcement, BT Group’s chief digital impact & sustainability officer Andy Wales said that “over two-thirds” of BT’s end-to-end carbon emissions can be traced back to its supply chain.

“To help us become a net-zero emissions business by 2045, we’re asking our suppliers to commit to climate action and we’re working with them to substantially reduce their carbon emissions by 2030​. ​By working together, we’ll be able to curb emissions and help pave the way for others to follow,” said Wales.

Exponential Roadmap head and co-founder Johan Falk said that the initiative is “very excited to kick-off the 1,5 Supply Chain Leaders together with five front runners in climate action- Ericsson, IKEA, Telia, BT Group and Unilever”.

“As 1.5°C Supply Chain Leaders we look to develop concrete tools, help remove blockers and provide the resources required to support suppliers, working together to achieve our common targets,​” he said.