Customer Pressure: Why Your SME Is Being Asked About Your Carbon Footprint

For many UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainability might once have felt like something only big corporations needed to worry about. But times are changing, and fast. Increasingly, customers will be asking questions about your business' sustainability, and what you're doing to tackle it.

So, why does this matter, and what can you do about it?

Why Customers Are Asking About Your Carbon Footprint

Whether they’re individual buyers, corporate clients, or larger organisations in your supply chain, customers today increasingly want to know how sustainable your business is. For many, this starts with understanding your carbon footprint — the total greenhouse gas emissions linked to your business operations.

This shift is happening for two main reasons:

• Changing expectations – Everyday consumers want to support businesses that align with their values, and sustainability is high on the list. Showing how you are reducing energy use, cutting waste, or switching to greener options can build trust and loyalty.

• Business-to-business pressure – Larger organisations face legal obligations to measure and report their emissions. As a result, they are asking suppliers (often SMEs) for data on greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, travel, and waste before awarding contracts or renewing agreements.

In short, whether you’re serving local shoppers or supplying major companies, your customers are paying attention. Being able to show progress on your carbon footprint isn’t just good practice — it can directly influence whether customers choose to buy from you or keep you in their supply chain.

What This Means for SMEs

While this may sound daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Customers and suppliers aren’t expecting perfection overnight. They want to see action and commitment.

Here are a few steps to get started:

1. Measure your footprint – Track your main sources of emissions, like energy use, travel, and waste.

2. Set realistic goals – Focus on small, achievable improvements first.

3. Communicate clearly – Share updates with customers and suppliers to show you’re serious about change.

There are free, simple-to-use tools available to help you start measuring your carbon footprint. Check out the SME Climate Hub or the Clean Growth Calculator

Even small actions, like measuring your carbon emissions, can set you apart and show you’re moving in the right direction.

Final Thoughts

Customer and supplier pressure on sustainability is only going to grow. For UK SMEs, this isn’t a threat — it’s an opportunity. By measuring and reducing your carbon footprint, you not only protect your key contracts and reputation, but also build stronger, more resilient relationships.

💡 If you’re unsure where to begin, The Net Zero Co. can help.

💡 Our Sustainability Health Check is designed to give SMEs a simple, practical starting point.