Health and safety workers confident in sustainability compliance

Two-thirds of health and safety teams report confidence in sustainability compliance

Health and safety professionals now see themselves as central to corporate sustainability efforts. Recent polling by the Institute of Safety & Environmental Professionals shows that more than two-thirds feel confident in applying sustainability best practices. However, the same research reveals technical knowledge gaps that could slow progress.

The findings matter because health and safety teams increasingly manage responsibilities that extend beyond traditional workplace protection. They now handle resource efficiency, climate risk, and environmental compliance alongside their core duties. This expansion reflects a broader shift in how UK businesses structure their approach to net zero and environmental targets.

For many SMEs, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Businesses that support their health and safety teams with the right training can build internal capacity for sustainability compliance. Those that ignore the technical gaps may struggle to meet regulatory requirements or respond effectively to supply chain demands.

What the ISEP research shows about professional readiness

The Institute of Safety & Environmental Professionals conducted the polling as part of its ongoing work to support practitioners in overlapping roles. ISEP provides structured career pathways from early-stage training through to chartered status for operational managers. Its framework covers health, safety, environmental, and sustainability responsibilities.

The research emerged alongside ISEP’s launch of new training programmes, including a fully online Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce course. This one-day programme replaced previous offerings and aims to improve worker motivation and understanding of global environmental issues. The polling data appeared in a BusinessGreen report that highlighted both the confidence levels and the technical shortcomings.

A separate LinkedIn survey conducted at an ISEP event found that only 22% of organizations feel very prepared for extreme weather effects. This gap between confidence in sustainability practices and readiness for climate impacts suggests that many businesses may be overestimating their operational resilience. Consequently, the technical knowledge gaps identified in the main poll become more significant when viewed alongside these preparedness challenges.

The polling did not specify exact response numbers beyond the two-thirds figure. Nevertheless, the consistency between the confidence levels and the identified skills gaps indicates a clear pattern across the profession. ISEP has positioned the findings as evidence for increased investment in environmental training, particularly for practitioners who lack specialist sustainability qualifications.

Why health and safety roles now include environmental compliance

The expansion of health and safety responsibilities into sustainability reflects several converging pressures. UK businesses face stricter environmental regulations, including carbon reporting requirements under frameworks such as the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting scheme. Meanwhile, public sector procurement rules like PPN 06/21 require suppliers to demonstrate carbon reduction plans.

Health and safety professionals already manage systems for risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and operational monitoring. These skills transfer naturally to environmental management tasks such as emissions tracking, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. Therefore, many organizations have assigned sustainability responsibilities to existing health and safety teams rather than creating separate roles.

This approach offers cost advantages for SMEs. Instead of hiring dedicated sustainability managers, businesses can upskill current staff to handle both sets of responsibilities. However, this strategy only works if the training addresses specific technical gaps. For example, a health and safety manager familiar with workplace risk assessments may not understand Scope 3 emissions calculations or the requirements of the Environment Act 2021.

The ISEP polling suggests that confidence levels currently outpace technical capability. This mismatch creates risks for businesses that assume their teams can deliver full compliance without additional support. In practice, many health and safety professionals can implement basic sustainability measures such as waste reduction or energy monitoring. Yet more complex tasks, including supply chain emissions assessments or biodiversity net gain calculations, often require specialist knowledge.

Technical gaps that could affect compliance outcomes

The research identifies technical knowledge gaps without specifying which areas pose the greatest challenge. Based on regulatory trends and common compliance requirements, several likely problem areas emerge.

Carbon accounting represents a significant technical hurdle. Health and safety professionals typically understand direct emissions from operations, which align with their existing monitoring responsibilities. However, Scope 3 emissions cover purchased goods, business travel, and end-of-life treatment of products. Calculating these accurately requires supply chain data that many SMEs struggle to obtain. Furthermore, different reporting frameworks use varying methodologies, which complicates compliance for businesses operating across multiple sectors.

Regulatory interpretation poses another challenge. The UK Environment Act, the Building Safety Act, and proposed Procurement Act changes all contain sustainability provisions. Understanding how these interact with existing health and safety regulations demands legal and technical knowledge that falls outside traditional training. Additionally, regulators continue to issue new guidance, which means that even confident professionals may miss important updates.

Climate adaptation planning requires skills that few health and safety teams currently possess. The separate ISEP finding that only 22% of organizations feel prepared for extreme weather illustrates this gap. Assessing physical climate risks, developing business continuity plans for weather disruptions, and implementing site-level resilience measures all demand expertise that goes beyond standard health and safety practice.

Supply chain sustainability introduces further complexity. Many UK businesses now face questions from larger customers about their environmental performance. Public sector tenders increasingly require detailed carbon reduction plans and evidence of sustainable procurement practices. Health and safety teams tasked with responding to these requirements must understand not only their own operations but also how to assess and improve supplier performance.

What businesses need to know about these findings

• More than two-thirds of health and safety professionals report confidence in applying sustainability best practices, according to ISEP polling published in BusinessGreen.
• The same research identifies persistent technical knowledge gaps that could affect compliance outcomes, particularly in areas such as carbon accounting and regulatory interpretation.
• A separate LinkedIn survey found that only 22% of organizations feel very prepared for extreme weather impacts, suggesting that operational readiness lags behind confidence levels.
• ISEP has launched new training programmes, including a fully online Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce course, to address these gaps.
• The findings reflect a broader trend in which health and safety teams increasingly manage environmental compliance alongside traditional workplace protection responsibilities.
• Businesses that invest in upskilling these teams can build internal capacity for sustainability compliance, while those that ignore technical gaps may face regulatory risks or struggle to meet supply chain requirements.

How SMEs can address technical skills gaps

Businesses that recognize the gap between confidence and technical capability can take practical steps to strengthen their compliance position. The first priority involves assessing which sustainability responsibilities currently fall to health and safety teams and identifying which require additional training.

Structured training programmes offer one solution. ISEP’s Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workforce course represents the type of accessible option that can raise baseline knowledge across teams. However, businesses should ensure that any training covers the specific regulations and standards relevant to their sector. Generic environmental awareness courses may boost motivation without delivering the technical skills needed for compliance tasks such as carbon reporting or supply chain assessments.

External support becomes necessary when technical requirements exceed internal capacity. This applies particularly to complex areas such as Scope 3 emissions calculations, biodiversity net gain assessments, or climate risk reporting. Businesses preparing for public sector tenders often need specialist help to develop credible carbon reduction plans that meet procurement requirements. Similarly, those facing new reporting obligations under the Environment Act or future changes to building regulations may benefit from compliance advisory services.

Collaboration between health and safety professionals and sustainability specialists can build internal capability over time. Rather than treating these as separate functions, businesses can create joint working groups that share knowledge and develop integrated approaches. For example, a health and safety manager working alongside a sustainability adviser on a carbon reporting project will learn technical skills that can be applied to future compliance tasks.

Technology also plays a role in bridging skills gaps. Carbon management software, energy monitoring systems, and supply chain data platforms can simplify complex calculations and reduce the technical knowledge required for basic compliance. Nevertheless, these tools still require users who understand what data to collect, how to interpret results, and which actions will deliver meaningful reductions. Therefore, technology should complement rather than replace skills development.

Resource constraints present particular challenges for smaller businesses. Many SMEs cannot afford to send multiple staff members on extensive training programmes or hire dedicated sustainability managers. In these cases, prioritization becomes essential. Businesses should focus training on the compliance requirements that pose the greatest risk, such as mandatory carbon reporting or specific tender criteria. Basic understanding across the team matters more than deep expertise in areas that do not directly affect business operations.

Where to find authoritative guidance and support

Several organizations provide reliable information for businesses developing sustainability capabilities within health and safety teams. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes guidance on carbon reporting requirements and net zero policy. The Environment Agency offers resources on environmental compliance, including waste management and pollution control.

For businesses working on public sector tenders, the Cabinet Office guidance on PPN 06/21 explains carbon reduction plan requirements. The Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment provides professional standards and training resources for environmental practitioners.

SMEs needing support with carbon reporting, compliance, or sustainable procurement can access specialist advice through SBS compliance services. Businesses preparing carbon reduction plans for public sector contracts may benefit from structured net zero programme support that addresses both technical requirements and practical implementation. For teams requiring broader sustainability training, resources such as the SBS Academy offer accessible learning options tailored to UK business needs.