The Co-op's chief executive has called on Ed Miliband to address the "far-reaching challenges" that are hindering small businesses' efforts to achieve net zero, warning that a lack of affordable finance and planning bureaucracy were obstructing firms' ambitions.
In a letter obtained by City AM, Shirine Khoury-Haq stated that Britain was at a "crucial juncture" in its journey to net zero, and that its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) required immediate support if they were to contribute to the country's ambitious net-zero targets, as reported by .
"I continue to believe that energy consuming businesses – both small and large – could and should be encouraged and equipped to play in this urgent transition," she penned.
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"[But there are] far-reaching challenges that SMEs through to large businesses face when trying to decarbonise their electricity supply."
Khoury-Haq, who assumed leadership of the Co-op in 2022 after serving as the chief operating officer of the insurance market Lloyd's, appealed to Miliband to provide English firms with free energy audits and low-cost loans, aligning them with their Scottish counterparts.
She also implored the former Labour leader to initiate a consultation on whether commercial landlords should be compelled to offer minimum energy efficiency standards when tenants enter into a new lease agreement.
Energy support scheme
The government is reviewing proposals for a comparable initiative in the domestic private rented sector, drawing applause from environmental activists but provoking landlords' concerns about potential rent increases.
Additionally, it has unveiled a programme that aligns with the demands made by Khoury-Haq, specifically aimed at hospitality businesses. This initiative has provided over 600 hotels, pubs, and restaurants with complimentary energy and carbon reduction assessments, in an effort to "boost growth [and] support productivity".
At the time of the announcement, industry minister Sarah Jones commented: "By providing business owners with expert advice to cut bills and reduce emissions, this will help them keep more money in their pockets to grow their business, employ local people and continue to serve your pint of lager or fish and chips."