How to create your climate action plan

The first step in building a climate action plan is understanding your business’s current environmental impact. It provides a user-friendly framework to measure key aspects of your business’s carbon emissions.

Key areas to measure:

• Energy consumption – track your electricity and gas usage.
• Transport – record emissions generated by company vehicles and staff travel.
• Waste management – assess the environmental impact of your waste disposal and recycling practices.

The climate action workbook will guide you through gathering this data, which will serve as the foundation for your climate action plan.

Once you’ve gathered all the relevant data, the next step is to analyse your carbon footprint and set targets.

How to set targets:

1. Specific – define clear, specific goals. For example, “reduce electricity consumption by 15%”.
2. Measurable – ensure your targets can be tracked. Use the data you gathered to quantify your goals. For example, track kWh for energy consumption.
3. Achievable – make sure the targets are realistic and take into consideration your business’s capacity and resources. Start with small wins to build momentum.
4. Relevant – align your targets with your business goals. For example, reduced energy costs will save you expense while also helping to protect the environment.
5. Time-bound – set a deadline for achieving each target. For example, “achieve a 10% reduction in business travel emissions within the next year".

Example short-term targets: 

• Reduce energy consumption by 10% in the next 12 months.
• Transition 50% of the business fleet to electric vehicles by 2026.

Example long-term target: 

• Achieve a 30% reduction in waste sent to landfill within 3 years.

Once you’ve set your targets, it’s time to decide which actions to take. It’s advisable to focus on areas that have the highest environmental impact. Based on your data from the climate action workbook, prioritise actions that will make the most significant reduction in your carbon footprint.

How to prioritise actions:

• Energy efficiency – if energy consumption is the major source of emissions, start by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, installing smart thermostats, or researching how to switch to renewable energy sources.
• Sustainable transportation – if business travel or vehicle emissions are high, think about how you can transition to low-emission vehicles, encourage the use of public transportation for staff, or promote cycling and walking for local trips.
• Waste management – implement strategies to reduce, reuse, and recycle if waste management is major contributor to your footprint. Switch away from single-use plastics and optimise waste segregation.

With your targets and actions outlined, create a structured action plan that includes the following:

• Action steps – clearly define the actions to take. For instance, “Switch to LED lighting in all guest rooms by Q2”.
• Priority level – identify the priority level of each action based on its impact and urgency for the business.
• Timeline – include deadlines for each action and target.
• Assign ownership – assign roles and responsibilities to staff members to ensure accountability.
• Resources – identify the resources needed for each action, including budget and personnel.

Example action plans: (case studies)

Action: switch to LED lighting in guest rooms.

• Target – complete by the end of Q2.
• Responsible – Facilities Manager.
• Requirements – budget for new lights, electrician for installation.

Action: implement a waste segregation system for recycling.

• Target – launch within 3 months.
• Responsible – Operations Manager.
• Resources - recyclable bins, signage and employee training materials with clear instructions for staff on how to effectively recycle waste.

Once your action plan is in place, it’s crucial to monitor progress regularly. Using tools like VisitScotland’s climate action workbook, you can update your data and track emissions reductions over time.

How to track progress:

• Regular updates – update the data in the Climate Action Workbook every few months to track your energy consumption, waste management, and transport emissions.
• Review targets – regularly check if your actions are helping you meet your targets. If progress is slower than projected, identify the barriers and adjust your plan accordingly.
• Annual review – conduct a comprehensive review at the end of the year to assess overall progress and adjust your strategy for the upcoming year.

Transparency is a great motivator when it comes to climate action. Share your progress with customers, employees, and stakeholders to highlight your commitment to sustainability.

Tips:

• Announce milestones – celebrate milestones, such as hitting a waste reduction target or completing a major energy efficiency project, to maintain momentum and inspire others.
• Acknowledge and reward staff – introduce a "Sustainability Champion" program with prizes recognising staff from their efforts. This could range from eco-friendly gifts to extra time off work.
• Climate action workbook – refer to the workbook and use the results to generate reports you can share.
• Digital channels – celebrate your success via your website, social media, or in annual sustainability reports.

Implementing a climate action plan can require investment. Fortunately, there are several funding options you can apply for which aim to help support businesses achieve their net zero ambitions.

Scottish Government grants and programs:

• Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) - supports rural projects like low-carbon transport and visitor facilities to enhance sustainable tourism, with £20 million allocated since 2018.
• Better Places Green Recovery Fund - provides funding for sustainable visitor infrastructure and services in natural areas to promote responsible tourism.
• Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme (LCITP) - offers funding for low-carbon projects like renewable energy systems.
• Destination Net Zero - SMEs in Glasgow, the Outer Hebrides, Inverness and Loch Ness, and those in ground transport and food production can benefit from  the initiative's pilot projects and partnerships, such as the one with The Travel Corporation. These initiatives offer support like funding and technical assistance to enhance sustainability and reduce emissions.
• EventScotland Funding Programme - a funding programme that supports sustainable and accessible events in Scotland, promoting economic growth and environmental responsibility.

Energy efficiency and renewable energy support:

• Scottish Enterprise – provides grants and loans for energy efficiency projects.
• Energy Efficiency Business Loan Scheme – offers low-interest loans for energy improvements.

The Climate Change Fund:

• supports community-based projects reducing emissions or adapting to climate change, with potential for tourism businesses engaged with local communities.

European Union Funding (Post-Brexit):

• UK Shared Prosperity Fund – provides funding for sustainable development projects aligned with net-zero goals.

How to Apply

• Research programs – stay updated on funding opportunities through government websites.
• Prepare your application – ensure your climate action plan is clear, measurable, and aligns with funding criteria.
• Seek support – contact Business Gateway or Scottish Enterprise for advice on suitable programs. 
• Local support – contact your local authority climate change or sustainability team using the directory of Adaption Scotland.