NatWest has announced the launch of its Carbon Planner, a free to use digital platform designed to help businesses manage their fuel and operational costs, and reduce their carbon footprint to help them go and grow greener.

The launch follows the bank’s broader commitment to lend £100bn to businesses in Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing by 2025.

NatWest research revealed that more than 72% of businesses expect they will face increased financial pressures, in light of inflation, increased energy costs (56%), higher costs of materials (56%), and increased interest rates (37%).

The platform, which aims to support businesses to better manage their costs, was designed and developed with the support of more than 1,000 businesses.

How can the carbon planner help businesses on their journey to net zero?

The Carbon Planner takes a business through four practical steps to help them take action:

  • Inform – lets businesses know their current emission hotspots and suggests alternatives
  • Diagnose – helps businesses understand what is best for their business
  • Plan – supports businesses in developing a plan of actions
  • Deliver – signposting potential options available to help them to take actions that can help their business and have the potential to reduce impact on the environment

In addition to the new online hub, NatWest will continue to work with partners across the Merseyside and the North West support businesses with their climate goals as well as their day-to-day business needs

Natalie Hughes, Local Enterprise Manager at NatWest, said: “So many businesses I speak to are keen to build awareness of how they can reduce their carbon footprint and in doing so reduce their energy use. This makes financial sense as energy-efficiency is the best, short-term measure for combatting rising energy prices and one of the most important steps on our journey to net-zero

“As well as our new Carbon Planner, we have a variety for resources available to support businesses at any stage of their climate journey and we’d encourage any organisations wanting support to get in touch.”

 

More information on the NatWest Carbon Planner:

The NatWest Carbon Planner is available online to all UK businesses and is not limited to NatWest customers.