Net Zero Business Series: Introduction to Climate Change and Net Zero

The Event

The West Midlands’ commitment to achieving net zero by 2041 is ambitious and will require collaboration across all sectors of business and society. Small businesses play a critical role in driving this transition; those that fail to adapt risk falling behind competitors and missing valuable opportunities.

This introductory workshop is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) starting their sustainability journey. We’ll cover the fundamentals of greenhouse gases (GHGs), carbon footprinting, and the essential steps toward achieving net zero. This session will provide a clear foundation for understanding how sustainability can enhance your operations, reputation, and bottom line.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• Understand GHG emissions: Gain an understanding of environmental sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, and how they relate to your business operations.
   
• See net zero as a business opportunity: Learn how a corporate sustainability strategy can result in winning new business.
   
• Leverage regional grant funding: Explore local networks and agencies that can provide guidance and resources to accelerate your transition to net zero.

This webinar is part of Birmingham City Council’s Net Zero Business Series, a collection of four online workshops that are designed for businesses looking to embark on their journey to net zero.

Agenda:

10:00: Event series introduction

10:05: Birmingham & Solihull Growth Hub introduction and regional support ecosystem

10:15: The Carbon Trust: What is climate change? Green House Gases (GHGs) and they relate to global heating

10:40: How business operations are related to emissions

10:45: Overview of a carbon footprint – scopes 1, 2 and 3

11:00: First steps and actions for businesses

11:10: Regional grant funding opportunities

11:15: Audience Q&A

11:30: Next steps and event close