Study shows UK SMEs struggle with sustainability and decarbonisation, posing risk to carbon-free future

UK SMEs struggle with sustainability and decarbonisation, posing a risk to a carbon-free future.
Bruno Kelly/Reuters

A new study has revealed that nearly half of all UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not have anybody leading their sustainability efforts, and almost four million do not have a strategy to decarbonise their operations.

The study, conducted by Rimm Sustainability, a global B2B sustainability solutions provider, surveyed 150 SME executives from various roles such as CEOs, CFOs, CSOs and CMOs, and its objective was to better understand the situation of UK businesses on the path to achieving net zero.

Rimm Sustainability’s report found out that SMEs, which account for 99 per cent of all businesses in the UK, may hold the key to unlocking a carbon-free future for the country. The report revealed that nearly two-thirds (63%) do not have a sustainability plan in place, and less than half (43%) have not sought more sustainable practices.  Read More