What the evidence means
The ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey is voluntary. The estimate covers responding businesses and excludes some industries.
BICS weighted business survey estimate.
G&G verified business evidence
UK businesses taking action to reduce carbon emissions
In late December 2024, 51% of UK businesses reported taking at least one action to reduce carbon emissions.
51
percent
Original source
Office for National Statistics
Business insights and impact on the UK economy: 9 January 2025
The net-zero section reports 51% took at least one carbon-reduction action.
View original evidence
Office for National Statistics. Business insights and impact on the UK economy: 9 January 2025. 9th of January, 2025. https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/businessservices/bulletins/businessinsightsandimpactontheukeconomy/9january2025
Why this matters to UK SMEs
The finding indicates that carbon-reduction activity had become common but not universal among responding businesses. For SMEs, the useful focus is selecting actions that are material, measurable and operationally sensible rather than matching a national participation percentage.
Key breakdowns
In late December 2024, 51% of businesses reported at least one action to reduce carbon emissions, three percentage points more than late September. The most frequently reported actions were switching to LED bulbs at 34%, adjusting heating and cooling systems at 24%, and installing a smart meter at 15%.
How to interpret this evidence
The headline is a participation measure. It does not show the number of actions, their scale, emissions saved or whether they formed part of a formal transition plan. Businesses could select more than one action.
Limitations
The voluntary BICS excludes some industries and the results are official statistics in development. Responses are self-reported and time-specific. The question does not independently verify emissions, establish a common baseline or distinguish material investment from small operational changes.
Practical considerations
G&G perspective: identify the main emissions and cost sources the business can influence, establish a baseline and prioritise actions by impact, feasibility and payback. Assign ownership and review measured results, while avoiding claims that extend beyond the evidence available.