Chapter 6: Towards Net Zero: A Practical Transformative Leadership Agenda for Manufacturers and SMEs Available to Purchase

To deliver net zero, this chapter demonstrates the importance of linking different levels of analysis. Macro concepts like Net Zero need to be operationalised at meso- and micro levels so that individual firms, and the ecosystems they operate in, make the required changes to reduce carbon. However, such change is difficult to achieve because of the scale of activities involved. We draw on the manufacturing case study of C Brandauer & Co Ltd to reveal how they successfully pursued Net Zero and then went on to embed change in their supply chain. We also highlight the key role of a transformational leader to sustain purpose-driven change, a leader brave enough to share core knowledge with local competitors. The authors introduce the term ‘sectoral transformation’ to capture multi-level change within the geographical area of the West Midlands. The chapter finishes with policy implications so that more SMEs can follow this agenda for change, and so that Net Zero becomes a much-needed reality, not just a policy ambition.