Small businesses across the UK are taking the lead on sustainability, demonstrating that practical action can make a real impact. In the latest series of the Novuna Sustainable Business Podcast – and accompanying insight report – 10 tips on sustainable business success – three experts from Novuna Business Finance share their views on how SMEs are cutting emissions, embedding sustainability into their operations and supporting the UK Government’s net zero goals.
According to UK Government figures, 94% of UK SMEs are already taking at least one physical action to lower emissions. Insight gathered by Novuna through 18 months of conversations with businesses across manufacturing, engineering, retail, agriculture and construction show that businesses are not only reducing energy use but also aligning their operations with the UKs decarbonisation ambitions.
Series eight, available to download in September, is made up of three episodes and features guests from Novuna Business Finance. Each guest shares stories of their own professional journey towards sustainability and reflect on what insight they took from the conversations with small business owners.
· Episode one: Jo Morris, Head of Insight highlights how sustainability looks different for every business, but common themes emerge: listening to customers, embedding sustainability into company culture, and influencing supply chains beyond the business itself. Jo uses the example of Grey Flannel, a high-end tailor in London to show how understanding customer values drives sustainable choices. She mentions specialist insurance company Emerald Life to demonstrate how leadership can embed sustainability into everyday culture, and Sea Change, an organic wine company, to illustrate the ripple effect small businesses can have on their suppliers. Jo also mentions that sustainability goes beyond environmental targets — supporting employees, local communities, and inclusive workplaces, as seen at Oxford-based tech enterprise OXIL, is equally vital. She emphasises the importance of practical support, such as tailored finance from Novuna Business Finance, to help SMEs take bold steps toward sustainable growth.
· Episode two: Chris Powell, Head of Sales talks about the role of finance and practical support to enable SMEs to adopt sustainable initiatives. He highlights real-world examples such as Libra Utility Services, which invested in new equipment to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, and Electric Classic Cars, which is transforming petrol vehicles into electric cars, combining innovation with environmental responsibility. Chris discusses how access to tailored finance solutions can empower businesses to make sustainable investments that also drive growth, proving that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.
· Episode three: Sabrina Ahmed, Communications Manager, discusses the practical lessons learned from small businesses across sectors, from farms to fashion to construction. She highlights how small steps, experimentation, and learning from mistakes are central to building sustainable businesses. Sabrina uses the examples of Iechyd Da a leading independent and eco-friendly health food shop just outside Cardiff, to demonstrate how small changes, like encouraging customers to reuse containers, can have a real impact, while textiles retailer, The Remnant Revolution shows how turning waste into new products can benefit both the environment and the community. She also references discussions with Chris Howard, Owner of Cambridge Building Services, to highlight the challenges that some businesses face in managing material waste under complex regulations, and the pressure that creates for small businesses.
These discussion points also form the backbone of Novuna’s Small Business Sustainability Insight report, which includes practical tips and insight from business experts on the challenges, opportunities and realities of building a sustainable business.
Jo Morris, Head of Insight, Novuna Business Finance concludes; “Listening to SMEs over the last 18 months has shown me that sustainability is not about perfection—it’s about creativity, commitment, and practical action. These businesses are leading by example, and their efforts demonstrate that sustainable growth and commercial success go hand in hand.
‘At Novuna, our aim is to listen and find helpful and workable solutions to support small businesses turn these ideas into practical action. Many want to do more on sustainability but aren’t always sure where to start. Sometimes it’s a lack of financial resources, other times uncertainty about what’s required, and often the landscape can feel complex. That’s why we help break it down into achievable steps, celebrate progress, and give businesses the confidence to act and keep building from there.
‘That’s the real power of learning by example — and it’s why we’re so proud to share these stories through the Sustainable Business Podcast. Every action, no matter how small, has the potential to inspire others and contribute to a greener, more resilient future. I can’t wait to see what more small businesses will do next and how their examples will continue to encourage and guide others.”