Energy management specialist advises SMEs on sustainable business support
A study of more than 1000 UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has found that a quarter of them state that sustainability is one of their top three priorities for 2014.
While 87% of these SMEs are already implementing sustainable business practices such as energy-saving activities, the study also found that many were struggling to adopt broader measures. These businesses are, for example, less likely to have an ethical sourcing policy (25%) or work responsibly within a supply chain (42%).
Yet many recognise the benefits of environmental policies, with more than half of respondents (54%) stating they reduce their costs. At Concept Energy Solutions, a carbon reporting expert, we suggest that SMEs may find they need support while adopting more comprehensive sustainable business strategies.
Peter Stockwell, Director of the energy monitoring and targeting firm, says: “As an independent carbon consultancy that specialises in advising on energy-efficient upgrades, we know that professional guidance can help to overcome any initial stumbling blocks.”
He adds: “We are really pleased to see that so many SMEs understand the cost-saving advantages of these measures – it is a welcome development that a third of them expect to increase their sustainable investment over the next five years.”
