The UK Net Zero Business Census 2025 launches today as the country’s largest research initiative tracking private sector progress and action towards achieving net zero by 2050.

 

Building on last year’s successful pilot, this year’s Census is endorsed by the DESNZ Net Zero Council and is being delivered by the UK Business Climate Hub in partnership with Planet Mark and a coalition of leading business groups, with the survey being hosted by the British Chambers of Commerce. This year’s Census is open until 18 July.

 

The UK Net Zero Business Census 2025 will expand on last year in both scale and ambition. Uncovering key data and insights to provide a powerful illustration of industry’s progress towards decarbonisation, the Census aims to help drive nationwide action, shape policy, and equip industry bodies to better support private enterprises on their pathway to net zero. Supported by Census Insights Partner, Sage, this year’s edition will offer a more detailed view across regions, sectors, and business sizes, uncovering even deeper insights and updates on how businesses are committing to carbon footprint measurement and carbon reduction.

 

Minister for Climate, Kerry McCarthy, said: “Net zero is driving economic growth and creating good jobs. As we accelerate towards 2050, businesses can benefit from new market opportunities, access to green finance and protection from future energy price shocks. Surveys like the UK Net Zero Business Census provide essential data to understand specific challenges faced as we continue to support business to access the opportunities net zero brings.”

 

Andrew Griffiths, Policy Director at Planet Mark, said: “We’re going bigger, bolder and better following last year’s successful pilot of the UK’s largest ever study of industry’s net zero ambitions. This year’s Census will reveal what strides have been made in the last 12 months, highlight the evolving opportunities and challenges businesses perceive net zero presents, and uncover the bold actions driving carbon reduction. The insights will provide an eye-opening picture to policy makers and investors on the success of current initiatives and how they can further help guide industry on the best routes forward to net zero by 2050.”

 

Ed Lockhart, Convener of the Broadway Initiative, which manages the UK Business Climate Hub, said: The Census gives us a robust means of tracking how businesses are progressing towards a decarbonised future and where the sticking points are. It is central to informing what collective support needs to be provided by the Government, business and finance communities through the Net Zero Council. The Census data will also help us further enhance the UK Business Climate Hub, ensuring the UK's single portal for SME net zero advice continues to meet the needs of the nation's small businesses.

 

George Sandilands, VP Carbon Accounting at Sage, said: “Sage has a mission to help SMEs achieve net zero by providing them with tools, knowledge, and resources to reduce their carbon emissions, but software is only part of the solution. To knock down barriers and drive real progress, we need to better understand how SMEs perceive net zero, what challenges they face, and where they are on their journey. That’s why we’re proud to have supported the UK Business Climate Hub for the past two years and to act as Insights Partner for this year’s Census—to help shape the data that will fuel meaningful action.”

 

Open to UK-based businesses of any size or industry, the Census will run from today until 18th July 2025.

Take the census

 

In addition, businesses can access an ever-expanding library of government-backed resources and guidance on net zero at UK Business Climate Hub.

 

First launched in 2024, last year’s UK Net Zero Business Census surveyed over 2,000 organisations nationwide to explore their priorities, plans, challenges, and actions on decarbonisation. While 73% cited net zero as a strategic priority for the year ahead, many faced major barriers. These included cost, limited access to finance, and a lack of expertise.

 

The 50+ Partners supporting the Census in 2025 include:

• Delivery Partners: UK Business Climate Hub, Planet Mark, DESNZ Net Zero Council, Broadway Initiative
• Insights Partner: Sage
• Key Partners: British Chambers of Commerce, Experian, British Business Bank
• Supporters: CBI, Make UK, Institute of Directors, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Local Government Association, Bankers for Net Zero (B4NZ), British Retail Consortium (BRC), Tech UK, UK Hospitality, Ad Net Zero, Advertising Association, Aldersgate Group, Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ace), Association for Rental Living (ARL), British International Freight Association (BIFA), British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA), British Furniture Association (BFA), British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), British Property Federation (BPF), British Standards Institution (BSI), BT Group, Climate Action for Associations, Climate Action, Cold Chain Federation, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Electricity North West, Food & Drink Federation, Garden Centre Association, Heart of the City, Home Builders Federation (HBF), Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), HSBC UK, Impax Asset Management, Independent Schools Council, LAWNET, Lloyds Bank, London & Partners, RedCAT Group, NatWest, Small Business Britain, SME Climate Hub, Corporate Leaders Group UK, UN Global Compact Network UK