For many businesses, sustainability is now closely linked to how they win work, build trust and demonstrate social value. The Carbon Charter’s recent survey found that tender requirements, ESG and social value are already influencing some organisations’ interest in sustainability, alongside cost savings, environmental impact, reputation and customer expectations.
This matters because procurement is changing. The government’s updated Social Value Model places greater emphasis on how suppliers can deliver wider public benefit through contracts, including action linked to the environment, communities, employment and responsible business. For SMEs, this creates both an opportunity and a challenge. Strong sustainability practice can help businesses stand out, but only if they can evidence what they are doing clearly.
What the Carbon Charter’s survey of local businesses told us
Survey responses suggest that many businesses are already taking useful steps. Organisations reported monitoring energy use, reducing waste, measuring emissions, training staff, communicating with customers and working with suppliers on environmental impact. Some already have formal accreditation or environmental management systems in place.
But the responses also show where support is needed. Businesses highlighted cost, limited time, lack of expertise and uncertainty about the best route forward. Several wanted help with carbon reporting, sustainable procurement, supply chain emissions, net zero planning and environmental requirements for tender submissions.
This is where the Carbon Charter can add value
Accreditation gives businesses a structured way to review their environmental performance, identify practical improvements and show clients, commissioners and supply chains that they are taking credible action. It can also support conversations with staff, customers and partners by turning good intentions into a clearer plan.
As more organisations look to strengthen their ESG and social value evidence, schemes like the Carbon Charter can help SMEs move from ambition to action and communicate that progress with confidence.
Delivered by Groundwork East and overseen by the Environment Agency and Suffolk County Council, the Carbon Charter provides guidance, support, and recognition to small and medium businesses throughout Suffolk and Norfolk as they take positive action towards business efficiency. Since its launch, more than 1,000 Charters have been awarded.
Sources:
Carbon Charter SME survey responses, 2026.
Cabinet Office, Procurement Policy Note 002: The Social Value Model, 2025.
UK Business Climate Hub, UK Net Zero Business Census 2025.
British Business Bank, SMEs and Net Zero Report 2025.