Companies have been urged to take part in a new census, aimed at understanding how the UK is progressing towards its goals on net zero.

The census aims to try and identify the key barriers for action on net zero and has been backed by some major organisations, including the CBI, Institute of Directors, as well as other large firms and trade bodies.

Led by the UK Business Climate Hub and Planet Mark, the census will run until the end of June and consists of multiple choice questions about companies’ knowledge of and preparedness for a net zero transition.

“The Net Zero Census will provide an annual benchmark for the business community on our journey to a low carbon economy,” Business Climate Hub Convener of the Broadway initiative, Edward Lockhart said.

“It will give government, business leaders and the financial community a richer dataset than we’ve ever had before to take stock of progress and what more needs to be done. It will give us the tools to understand the impact of the Business Climate Hub and how we should target resources to enable smaller businesses to decarbonise and provide the low carbon solutions of the future.”

Planet Mark’s director of policy & partnerships, Andrew Griffiths, added: “This is the most ambitious survey ever undertaken on the state of UK business’ progress to achieving net zero.

“Through working with so many like-minded partners, we will be able to reach thousands of businesses across the country to understand the commitments and actions they are taking to drive positive change for society, business and nature. We hope the results from the Census can inform the policy and investment decisions needed to secure business success as we transition to net zero by 2050”.

The census can be accessed here. It is open to all UK-based businesses, regardless of size or industry.

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