Net zero is a priority for four fifths of UK startups
by Startacus Admin
New research from Innovate UK reveals majority of startups are passionate about their climate impact and have clear desire to achieve net zero.
Net zero is a priority for four fifths (80%) of start-ups, with 72% working to achieve carbon neutrality and 8% already carbon neutral or negative according to new research from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
Innovate UK found that while start-ups are passionate about their climate impact, they are divided over whether it should be a priority over business growth. Nearly half (45%) of start-ups believe they should balance growth and sustainability, versus four in 10 (42%) believe growth is more important, but start-ups should try to be sustainable in their activities where possible.
Start-ups believe that the number one thing a company can do to reduce its carbon footprint is to innovate around a solution which combats climate change (38%), followed by encouraging sustainability in its supply chain (24%) and reducing emissions from its operations (17%). Just 15% of start-ups suggested that restricting business travel by choosing online meetings was most important.
Start-ups view renewable energy infrastructure (30%) as the most important innovation to long-term sustainability. This is closely followed by recycling, waste management and sustainable materials (29%). Only 8% of start-ups cited renewable and energy efficient transport, such as electric vehicles, as the most important area for sustainable innovation.
.png)
Jonny Voon, Head of the Sustainable Innovation Fund at Innovate UK, says: “Pioneering entrepreneurs are unsurprisingly future-focused, and recognise the need to balance growth and sustainability.
“It’s incredibly promising to find that so many early-stage companies recognise the need to achieve net zero in their operations and are passionate about innovating towards climate change solutions. They serve as an important reminder that profitability and sustainability are increasingly closely aligned and through innovation we can achieve both.”
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Voicy, the online content platform for discovering, creating and sharing sound-clips and sound-effects secures investment to support team expansion and global growth.
NI Startup? Fancy showcasing your startup at this year's Digital DNA event? We've got up to 10 spaces for NI startups to do just that. Here's the details!
Germany's leading digital solar platform, Zolar secures major investment to support roll out of new digital energy products.
Metro Bank seeks startups and scaleups with a focus on customer experience, community banking, optimisation of systems & data and sustainability for its second innovation lab.
Need a little extra motivation to get your daily step count up? Treekly will help you do your bit for the climate crisis with every step you take...
The lowdown on London-based SaaS startup Adadot and its innovative performance and wellbeing tracking platform for developers.
.jpg)
Henrik Grim, European GM of Capchase shares insights on how founders can navigate these more challenging funding conditions.
Storyblok secures major investment to further accelerate product innovation and growth into the US and Europe.
.png)
New podcast launched by Sport Tech Hub aims to share insights and inspiration from leaders and tech entrepreneurs in the sport and physical activity sector.
Moneybox smashes its investment target with over 15,000 people investing £6.25million in 72 hours in its Crowdcube campaign.
Published on: 15th March 2022
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Voicy lands €1.2 million pre-Seed from Global Founders Capital to build the GIPHY for sound 20th May 2022 Voicy, the online content platform for discovering, creating and sharing sound-clips and sound-effects secures investment to support team expansion and global growth.
- Zolar Lands €100 Million Series C On The Back Of Surging Demand For Affordable Green Energy 19th May 2022 Germany's leading digital solar platform, Zolar secures major investment to support roll out of new digital energy products.
- Metro Bank opens call for participants for second Magic Makers programme 17th May 2022 Metro Bank seeks startups and scaleups with a focus on customer experience, community banking, optimisation of systems & data and sustainability for its second innovation lab.
- Storyblok Raises $47M Series B to Make Headless Content Management the New Standard 17th May 2022 Storyblok secures major investment to further accelerate product innovation and growth into the US and Europe.
