eBay UK is launching a climate training program for more than 200,000 small businesses selling goods on its platform.
Called the Carbon Academy, the program is open to all eBay sellers in the UK and is hosted as part of a partnership between eBay and Climate Partner. The aim is to provide SME decision makers with the knowledge and skills they need to measure and reduce their emissions.
The vast majority of companies in the UK are SMEs – at least 90%. In terms of climate, SMEs account for about half of the country’s business-related emissions, with estimates ranging from 45% to 53%.
However, a lot of research has been done recently and concludes that SMEs struggle to develop and deliver emission reduction plans. Common barriers include a lack of budget or in-house expertise, as well as the fact that some of the world’s most prominent decarbonization schemes and resources target companies.
Through the Carbon Academy, small and medium businesses will be able to obtain a baseline of their emissions footprint calculated by ClimatePartner at a discount. They will also have access to an online module on emissions accounting.
Six other online modules are also part of the programme. It will cover topics including reducing carbon, adopting circular economy principles, continuing climate action and sustainability. In addition, SMEs will receive guidance on the role carbon offsetting can play in their climate strategies.
Each unit comes with its own checklist, with eBay emphasizing “bite-sized” resources and “hands-on” information.
“We all know that driving the change we need to see in our economy will take us all, and with over 200,000 small businesses using eBay in the UK alone, we can make a huge impact,” said Eve Williams, Managing Director of eBay UK.
Globally, eBay in particular is working toward a verified climate target of 1.5°C. It has committed to reduce Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (energy-related) emissions by 90% by 2030, against a 2019 baseline. Within the same timeframe, it aims to reduce Scope 3 (indirect) emissions from downstream transmission and distribution by 20%. %.