The vital role of the nation’s 6 million small businesses in helping the UK achieve its net zero goal by 2050 is being highlighted by the Small Business Saturday campaign, as Glasgow’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) draws to a close.

The campaign is continuing to drive home the sustainability message with a UK roadshow that is visiting over 20 towns and cities, after it launched at COP26.

Featuring a striking fleet of zero emissions ‘small business style’ vehicles – including an electric van, car, scooter and ‘delivery style’ bike – the campaign is showcasing sustainable switches many small businesses can make, as well as offering support on a variety of business topics, including committing to net zero.

“As 99% of all businesses, and responsible for a now estimated third of all UK emissions, small businesses must be at the very heart of the nation’s response to the climate crisis,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Director Small Business Saturday UK.

“Small businesses offer a grassroots, agile response to sustainability, and will be the source of innovation in our society as we move to a more sustainable world.

“As COP26 draws to a close we must ensure it also serves as a catalyst for positive, ongoing action from businesses at the grassroots too, and that enough support and encouragement is given to help this important group.”

Once again supported by BT Skills for Tomorrow, The Tour is also offering entrepreneurs all over the country a month-long programme of free online training and skills support on a range of small business topics – from sustainability, to mental health, to finance. This includes virtual business mentoring and workshops.

So far, the campaign has met with hundreds of small businesses and local leaders in communities across Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, North Wales, the North West and East Midlands, with leading entrepreneurs and political figures showcased on its social media channels.

It will go on to visit Cardiff, Plymouth, Southampton, Brighton, Margate, Cambridge and London in the run up to Small Business Saturday on 4 December.

Now in its ninth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday celebrates small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and to support businesses in their communities.

Last year the campaign achieved record-breaking success with an estimated £1.1 billion spent with small businesses across the UK on the day, according to research from American Express, the campaign’s founder and principal supporter in the UK.

“Despite the hugely tough period small businesses have endured across the UK, we have seen many businesses embrace new ways of working and a shift towards digital”, said Chris Sims, BT’s managing director for its SoHo (Single/Small office, Home office) unit.

“The Tour is a fantastic initiative to reach out and support small businesses with the digital skills they need as they look to scale up in key areas such as digital marketing and sustainability, and we are delighted to be supporting it again this year.”

Small businesses can follow The Tour live online and take part in social media interviews or book a place on free workshops or one-to-one mentoring sessions via the ‘My Business Section’ on the Small Business Saturday website.