A Fresh Approach to 2023
Date published:
By Thomas Lonsdale, Knowledge and Research Executive at the North East England Chamber of Commerce.
After perhaps a slightly overindulgent Christmas, I woke up on New Year’s Day, alongside an estimated one seventh of the UK population, to the prospect of a month without alcohol.
Now in its tenth year, dry January is an opportunity for many to reflect on ways to be healthier, as well as being an excuse to try some of the excellent mocktails and alcohol-free drinks in bars and pubs across our region.
Just as many of us will come out of a challenging year thinking about plans for self-improvement, countless businesses will be thinking of how they have adapted throughout a tumultuous 2022 and prepared themselves for a healthy 2023. Among the significant challenges for businesses throughout last year were the astronomical increases in energy prices and the lack of certainty and clarity that characterised energy policy for non-domestic customers. The resilient and innovative businesses in the North East have taken on this challenge however, and our most recent quarterly economic survey shows just how flexible and adaptive businesses have been. While these transformations may have been brought on by uncomfortable circumstances, many of these changes will make organisations more resilient, healthier, and more sustainable in the future. They will also help contribute to a cleaner, greener future for the North East.
The government’s new energy discount scheme may also require businesses to make further difficult decisions to become more energy efficient and sustainable in the next year with its cut to the overall level of support available. This is especially true for sectors outside the group of energy and trade intensive industries selected for additional support. It will be an extremely challenging time for many organisations who are already struggling. Perhaps it is possible however to find some consolation in my delicious mocktails. Just as the prospect of dry January without such fantastic alcohol-free drinks would have been much more daunting, businesses trying to become more energy efficient and sustainable in 2023 do have access to a wide variety of resources and support.
Similarly, just as dry January is easier with the support of colleagues and friends, attempting to become more energy efficient is easier through collaboration. The solidarity and willingness to help each other is one of the best features of the North East business environment, and any organisation struggling to reduce energy expenditure would be well advised to use this invaluable resource. Last year was difficult for businesses in our region and undoubtably 2023 will present its own challenges, but as ever we are stronger together.