Among the measures being called for are:

• Better tax incentives for businesses hitting green targets
• A Government drive to encourage Brits to holiday at home post the pandemic
• More clear air zones and more ambitious targets on carbon emission reduction
• Incentives for investors who put their money into eco-firms

Commenting on what he’d like to see next week, Steve Evans, CEO of XeroE, a zero-emissions delivery platform, said: “It is imperative that this conference considers air quality in cities for both the environment and people’s health. As an SME, we’ve  saved 79 tonnes of fossil fuel being burnt already this year, adding 1,891 days of human life in London alone, through zero-emission deliveries. I know more can be done. I implore the leaders at COP26 to consider a green delivery option requirement for large e-commerce companies. We could also give a deadline for Clean Air Zones to be created in UK cities. Another consideration to help clean air quality in cities is to provide easier finance for independent van drivers to switch to EVs. Lastly, let's see the Government organisations should lead by example by using emission-free delivery services themselves.”

John Heard, the Founder of holiday and adventure business Wild Cycles, said: “Recent events have 'encouraged' people to spend more time in the UK and experience and appreciate more of the wonders that our beautiful countryside has to offer. I would ask the government to actively engage with - and support businesses that are promoting local tourism and experiences. In practical terms. Can the Government  use its power to influence, actively raise awareness and help to position the UK not only as a viable - but also as a highly attractive alternative to travelling abroad for holidays and adventures? A hard-hitting campaign funded by the Government should be geared to the UK market to ensure the sustainability and growth of this invaluable sector - as well as to the international market. The outcome would be to stimulate local economies, create job opportunities and ultimately reduce the amount of air miles travelled to foreign destinations and thereby reduce harmful carbon emissions.”

Simon Macdonald, Director of Kobus Services, which has developed eco-friendly trenchless technology serving the utility sector, said:  “Government grants to help calculate carbon equations would be a positive first step. This would help businesses to monitor and improve their footprint. Tax incentives would also be helpful. We need to see fast-tracking on environmental reforms which free up businesses like ours from a lot of the red tape that currently exists and prevents us from being able to find more sustainable material substitutes in our day-to-day work on the ground.”

Asim Amin, Founder and CEO, Plumm, a mental wellbeing online platform, said: “I’d like to see Governmental market-based instruments such as green tax, tradable permits, and payment for ecosystem services which can help businesses deliver on eco-efficient outcomes with the least cost. Moreover, there’s potential to incentivise investors if they choose businesses operating in an eco-efficient manner.

“On a macro-level, policy-makers could have an energy efficiency framework for businesses to operate in, and reward those businesses with rebates if they achieve certain target goals for conservation, energy efficiency or any other ecological efficiency aspect. If such instruments are designed correctly, it will also foster innovation in businesses as companies will try to be more productive and profitable, whilst ensuring that the cost to the environment is minimised. This could potentially serve as a win-win for both businesses and governments. 

“As long as policy-makers function as enablers, business owners will be motivated to innovate and thereby yield better outcomes and productivity within their respective industries; emerging as eco-efficient operators.”

Hawaa Budraa, from healthcare startup Onaria Technologies, said: “I’d love to see the Government introduce some of the services they have in America which help businesses recycle waste in a more eco-friendly way. Terracycle is a great example of this. As a business we still have a huge amount of waste which we are not clear how to process in the most eco-friendly fashion and we’d welcome more services to support that process.”

Toby Harper, CEO of Harper James Solicitors, which provides legal support to Plumm, Wild Cycles, Xeroe, Ontario and Kobus, also commented: “Many UK businesses are already making huge strides in ensuring they operate in an eco-friendlier fashion. Britain is also home to some of the fastest growing companies providing sustainable services which are the envy of the world. But this ambition from business now needs to be matched by policies and incentives from the Government to reward those trading in a sustainable way. The COP conference is the chance for our Ministers to finally show the rest of the world they are serious about rewarding green businesses.”