Private companies and the low carbon economy
Source: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=15db2cfa-bd50-4d5b-a08e-add51b31d053
Author: Stevens & Bolton
Private small or medium-sized companies within the UK are currently not required by law to produce any environmental reports or disclosures (but note, large private companies who meet certain size-related criteria are required). However, there is a growing pressure, both societal and by investors, for companies to pledge a net zero future or at the very least consider and improve their sustainability credentials. With the publication of the consultation on the draft Disclosure Framework and Implementation Guidance by the Transition Plan Taskforce aimed at private companies to assist their preparation and disclosure of climate transition plans, reasons for businesses to not get on board are fading. A climate transition plan sets out how an organisation will adapt in line with the advances towards a low carbon economy.The growing arsenal of guidance and publications aimed to assist companies and their boards can be helpful tools for companies to demystify evolving requirements and expectations. This is particularly helpful to SMEs who may have limited capacity to allocate resources to come up with a transition plan. Therefore, the draft Disclosure Framework may make sustainability goals appear more attainable and remove the potential barriers to smaller companies to be able to make a conced effort in moving towards a more environmentally friendly future. Even large companies can find creating a transition plan and other ESG reporting challenging, so the draft framework is likely to be beneficial for private companies of all sizes.