FOUR out of five businesses (79%) believe Northern Ireland will not achieve net zero by 2050.
And cost is the main reason given for preventing companies from proactively reducing their carbon footprint.
They are among findings in the Green Business Sentiment Index, researched by Behaviour & Attitudes (it spoke to 350 local businesses) on behalf of SSE Airtricity and for the first time focussing specifically on Northern Ireland.
Th aim of the survey is to highlight and measure the progression of attitudes among businesses towards renewable energy and green recovery.
The survey showed that 70% of businesses here consider themselves to be environmentally friendly, but only half (51%) feel this is important to their customers.
With 81% of businesses saying addressing climate change is primarily government’s responsibility, just two in five (41%) say they are more likely to consider retrofitting when government supports are available.
Worryingly, over two thirds (69%) say they are unaware of the Climate Action Plan 2023-2027.
Nikki Flanders, managing director of SSE Energy Customer Solutions GB (Energy Solutions) and Ireland (SSE Airtricity), said: “Despite the economic challenges of the past few years, sustainability and green practices are clearly on the agenda for businesses, but there is room for improvement.
“Businesses need to be supported today while pace is increased when it comes to decarbonisation efforts for the future. It is crucial that the business community is brought along the journey if Northern Ireland is to achieve its climate action objectives and government support has a key role to play.
“Decarbonisation measures, sustainable practices and the increased development of renewables are all part of the solution to drive down long-term costs and deliver greater economic stability for Northern Ireland. Industry leaders, organisations and political stakeholders need to work together to address today’s challenges without losing focus on the long term objectives.”
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE RESEARCH
· Only one in five (19%) businesses feel confident that Northern Ireland can achieve Net Zero by 2050
· 81% of NI businesses feel it is primarily the government’s responsibility to tackle climate change
· 70% of businesses consider themselves to be environmentally friendly
· Half of businesses (51%) feel that being environmentally friendly is important to their customers
· Almost half of businesses (44%) feel that sustainability and energy efficiency is prioritised in their budgetary decision making
· Two in five businesses (43%) feel that sustainability practices are embedded in their company culture.
· More than a quarter of businesses (26%) believe that retrofitting can benefit their business
· Almost half of businesses (46%) say that climate change does have an impact in their decision making when making purchasing and partnership decisions
· Just one third of businesses (31%) are aware of the Climate Action Plan 2023 – 2027
· Less than half of businesses aware of the action plan (45%) feel that Northern Ireland can achieve Net Zero by 2050
· 85% of businesses have implemented workplace recycling.
· 52% of businesses use keep cups and recyclable packaging
· 31% of businesses use renewable energy
· 23% have incorporated retrofitting into their premises.
· 17% have carpooling policy
· 12% of businesses have a cycle to work policy
· 8% have incorporated electric vehicles into their company
· 11% of businesses carry out energy audit
· 20% have incorporated solar panels into their premises.
· 2% have a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA)
· 41% say cost is given as the main barrier to businesses proactively reducing their carbon footprint, followed by a lack of information around decarbonisation (17%)
· Just one third of businesses (31%) are aware of the Climate Action Plan 2023 – 2027
