NatWest has announced the launch of its Carbon Planner, a free-to-use digital platform designed to help UK businesses manage their future fuel and operational costs, and reduce their carbon footprint.
Alison Rose, Chief Executive of NatWest Group, said: “Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges we face today, and small businesses have a critical role to play in helping the UK realise its green ambition.
“NatWest Group is committed to supporting its customers to understand and reduce their emissions. The launch of Carbon Planner is an important example of how we are putting tools in the hands of our customers to use their own data to cut costs and carbon emissions.”
The NatWest Carbon Planner, which will be available from 28th July 2022, is a tailored platform that provides personalised actions, enabling customers to make decisions when looking to reduce their carbon emissions, while outlining the financial impact of doing so.
The platform also provides content and resources to help businesses make informed decisions so they can convert actions from planned to complete.
NatWest suggests that by businesses quickly understanding the commercial and carbon impact of their business operations, they will be in a stronger position to navigate the current inflationary challenges and reduce their carbon emissions. With an ever-increasing focus on climate, the Carbon Planner can also help businesses start future proofing their operations to mitigate climate and supply chain risk.
Solange Chamberlain, Chief Operating Officer, Commercial Banking, NatWest Group said:
“Businesses are coming under increasing pressure due to rising costs. Many are fundamentally strong businesses which are experiencing a massive shock to input prices.
“As a bank, we can help businesses invest to save by switching from volatile commodities to renewable sources with predictable prices, and support businesses in taking actions to measure, evaluate and act to reduce their climate impact.
“Every business should consider if cutting carbon could cut costs and it’s important that we support the business community explore their options through access to finance to invest in cost reducing measures like energy efficiency.”
The Carbon Planner takes a business through four practical steps to help them take action:
- Inform – lets businesses know their current emission hotspots and suggests alternatives
- Diagnose – helps businesses understand what is best for their business
- Plan – supports businesses in developing a plan of actions
- Deliver – signposting potential options available to help them to take actions that can help their business and have the potential to reduce impact on the environment
