BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 129

Climate Change

In the period 17 March to 30 March 2025, businesses not permanently stopped trading were asked if they had taken any actions to reduce their business’s carbon emissions.

Figure 1: In March 2025, the most common actions businesses had taken to reduce their carbon emissions were switching to LED bulbs (53.3%) and adjusting heating and cooling systems (47.1%).

Estimated share of businesses by actions taken to reduce carbon emissions. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 129.

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 129 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 1 data see table ‘ReduceCarbonEmissions’.

Over three quarters of businesses (78.6%) had taken some action to reduce their carbon emissions, rising to 94.2% for businesses in the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation sector.

Businesses were also asked whether they were very concerned, somewhat concerned, not concerned or not sure about the impact of climate change on their business.

Figure 2: In March 2025, an estimated 45.0% of businesses were very or somewhat concerned about the impact of climate change on their business, up from 41.2% in December 2024.

Estimated share of businesses by whether concerned about impact of climate change on business. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Applicable waves 66 to 129.

Source: BICS weighted Scotland estimates - data to Wave 129 from the Scottish Government. For Figure 2 data see table ‘ClimateChangeConcerned’.

Large businesses (250 or more employees) were more likely to be concerned about the impact of climate change on their business than small to medium-sized businesses (10 to 249 employees). An estimated 57.9% of large businesses were very or somewhat concerned, compared to 43.6% of small to medium-sized businesses.