Net Zero Skills Bootcamps: Train Your Team to Meet Net Zero Targets and Drive Real Change | Optimum Skills
What is Net Zero and why is it important?
Net Zero means balancing the amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, that a business releases into the air with the amount taken away or reduced. Basically, it means your company does not add any extra harmful gases to the atmosphere that warm the planet. This is done by cutting down emissions and using things like tree planting or technology to remove carbon.
Net Zero is very important because it helps stop the earth from getting hotter and limits climate change. The UK Government and many countries are working to reach Net Zero by 2050 to protect the planet for future generations. For businesses, achieving Net Zero means following new laws, lowering harmful emissions, saving money, and showing customers that they care about the environment.
What regulations are coming soon that can have an impact on businesses?
Starting in 2025, new rules will affect many businesses in the UK, especially about energy use and carbon emissions. Here are some key regulations you should know about:
New Efficiency Rules for Commercial Buildings
From 2025, it will be illegal to lease out commercial buildings without a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This certificate shows how energy efficient a building is. The current minimum EPC rating allowed to lease is E, but this will get stricter over time – rising to C by 2028 and then B by 2030. If a building does not meet these standards, owners must upgrade it or face big fines, which can be between £5,000 and £150,000. This encourages businesses to improve energy use and lower carbon emissions in their buildings.
Source : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/net-zero-strategy
Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR)
Large businesses must keep reporting each year how much energy they use and how much carbon they emit. These reports help businesses track their impact on the environment and follow government goals to reduce emissions. SECR will still be required in 2025 and beyond.
Source: https://netzeronow.org/post/2025-climate-compliance-uk-businesses
Public Procurement Notice (PPN) 06/21
If your business wants to win big government contracts (over £5 million) or NHS contracts (over £10,000), you must show you have plans to reduce carbon emissions. Starting in 2024/25, being able to prove your business is working on Net Zero targets is critical to winning these contracts.
Tougher Emission Targets and Rules
The UK is tightening rules about emissions, energy use, and sustainability. Businesses that fail to meet these targets can face fines, restrictions, and reputational damage.
Source: https://ukgbc.org/resources/net-zero-carbon-buildings-framework/
Anti-Greenwashing Rules
From spring 2025, companies that make false or misleading claims about how green or sustainable they are can be fined. It is important to only share honest and accurate information about your environmental actions.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-energy-security-and-net-zero
Sector-Specific Changes
Businesses involved in electric vehicles, sustainable supply chains, and renewable energy will face more rules and pressure aligned with the UK’s Net Zero plan for 2050.
What are Net Zero Skills Bootcamps?
Net Zero Skills Bootcamps are special training courses designed to help your employees learn what Net Zero means and how to help your business reduce its carbon footprint. The Skills Bootcamps cover important topics like climate change, carbon footprints, and how businesses can become more sustainable, and the best bit save money. It also includes training in powerful improvement methods like Lean, and Kaizen, which help teams find ways to save energy and reduce waste.
What do the Net Zero Skills Bootcamps cover?
- Tutor-Led Sessions: Interactive workshops covering Net Zero, sustainability, carbon footprint, environmental risks and responsibilities, and understanding climate change. The sessions will include group learning with a practical approach, embedding project planning and looking at how your business can reduce emissions to meet upcoming targets.
- Hands-On Application: Participants work on real improvement projects in their own workplaces, with expert tutor support.
- Industry Guest Speakers: Live talks from professionals who share how net zero and continuous improvement are applied in real businesses.
Why your business needs the Net Zero Skills Bootcamps
With new UK rules requiring businesses to cut carbon emissions, Net Zero Skills Bootcamps help your team to:
- Understand sustainability, climate change, and carbon footprints.
- Use Lean to reduce waste and costs.
- Identify ways to reduce your business’s carbon impact.
- Meet current and upcoming regulations.
- Show your customers and partners your real commitment to a greener future.
Take action now and future-proof your business
Waiting to act on Net Zero can leave your business behind competitors and vulnerable to regulations. Investing in Net Zero Skills Bootcamps today equips your workforce with the skills and confidence needed to lead your company into a sustainable future.
Contact us now to learn how our Skills Bootcamps can help your business deliver on Net Zero targets before your competition does and build a stronger, greener company for tomorrow.
