Close Menu
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing & Mental Health
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
Trending
  • SME Today talks to Sa’ed Anabtawi, Product Director, WOLF
  • The Truth Behind ‘Sickies’
  • Five ways to monetise your business EV chargers
  • New book on conquering fear of public speaking
  • 1 in 3 employees anxious about lack of first aiders at work
  • What SMEs risk when their IT provider gets bought out
  • Back to Work: Keeping your employees happy after their holiday high 
  • Are you flying blind on your most important business decisions?
X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
You are at:Home»Environment»The Green SME Dilemma – Costly Burden Or A Growth Opportunity?
Global sweep finds 40% of firms’ green claims could be misleading

The Green SME Dilemma – Costly Burden Or A Growth Opportunity?

0
Posted By sme-admin on July 26, 2024 Environment
Amidst escalating economic and environmental challenges, SMEs are at a crossroads. A new report delves into the dilemma SMEs face: how to balance sustainability with financial stability. With 71% of SMEs in the last 12 months viewing sustainability as an opportunity to diversify and grow their business, the report explores how green initiatives can help reduce carbon footprint but also drive business growth and remain competitive.
The Report by Novuna Business Finance – The Small Business Perspective on Sustainability: Investment, Cost or Burden – provides valuable insight learnt from the real-life experiences of small business owners with each story revealing insight into the challenges and successes of sustainability and the pursuit of Net Zero.
Across diverse sectors, including a bakery and cafe, the fashion industry, real estate and bonsai cultivation, businesses are aware of the challenges they face. Despite these obstacles, they are actively implementing sustainability into the day to day running of their business whilst also recognising the need for balance and that guidance is needed. For many of the SMEs interviewed, sustainable practices resulted in increased customer loyalty, community engagement and new opportunities, ultimately proving to be a good long-term investment.
The case studies in our report and available in full via ‘The Sustainable Business Podcast,’ clearly illustrate that embracing sustainability is not just about conviction but is also a strategic move that drives success and builds resilience. A snapshot below of the stories available in the report highlights real-life examples of how prioritising sustainability can lead to long-term benefits and growth.
Green advice in their words
  • Listen to customers: Tim Everest, owner of Grey Flannel, showcases how sustainable practices can drive business growth in the fashion industry. By integrating sustainable fabrics and responding to customer demands, Grey Flannel demonstrates that green initiatives can be a long-term investment, attracting environmentally conscious consumers and enhancing brand image.
  • Maintain balance and practicality: Peter Chan, owner of Herons Bonsai, illustrates a balanced approach to sustainability. Through modest changes like reducing chemical usage and supporting local charities, Herons Bonsai proves that sustainability can be practical and cost-effective, strengthening community ties while positioning the business for long-term success.
  • Maintain a low Carbon Footprint: Lee Michael Horan, co-founder of Polarius International Real Estate, showcases sustainability as a strategic investment in the real estate sector. Through measures like minimising travel and focusing on energy-efficient properties, Polarius not only reduces operational costs but also attracts environmentally conscious clients, ensuring long-term profitability and resilience.
  • Recycling and re-using: Becky Barnes, owner of Becky Barnes Style challenges fast fashion norms by promoting sustainable alternatives. Her focus on second-hand shopping and repurposing highlights how sustainability can be an essential investment in the future of the business, fostering customer loyalty and differentiation in the market.
  • Strong local focus: Hannah Egerton, owner of Edgie Eats Bakery, demonstrates the impact of local sustainability efforts. By sourcing local produce and implementing eco-friendly practices, Edgie Eats Bakery invests in community resilience, viewing sustainability as integral to the future viability of the business.
Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance commented: “Sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s a vital component of modern business strategy. Our report highlights the real-world successes and challenges faced by small businesses as they integrate sustainable practices. These inspiring stories reveal that sustainability is not merely a cost but a strategic investment that drives growth, fosters customer loyalty, and builds resilience. At Novuna Business Finance, we are committed to supporting SMEs in their journey towards Net Zero. By sharing these insights and amplifying these voices through our report and podcast, our mission, as a business is to support more businesses to embrace sustainability, proving that profitability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Retail and e-commerce packaging must change

Turning the Caribbean’s seaweed crisis into a climate-saving industry

The EU’s sustainability movement & mitigating greenwashing accusations

Comments are closed.

Follow SME Today on Linkedin and share all the topics you find interesting

The Newsletter

Join our mailing list for the best SME stories, handpicked and delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks!

Sign Up
Personal Pension offer
Events Calendar
    • Marketing
    August 29, 2025

    OneMetric forms strategic partnership with RevOps expert to drive UK growth

    August 28, 2025

    The Seven Phases of Festive Shopping and How to Target within Each Effectively

    • Finance
    September 3, 2025

    Five ways to monetise your business EV chargers

    September 1, 2025

    Are you flying blind on your most important business decisions?

    • People
    August 14, 2025

    A Life Worth Saving – A Tribute to Dame Stephanie Shirley CH, 1933–2025

    August 12, 2025

    Finance Director Returns As Judge For National Business Awards

    • Health & Safety
    September 2, 2025

    1 in 3 employees anxious about lack of first aiders at work

    July 1, 2025

    Temperatures Soaring: Is Your Workplace Becoming Unsafe?

    • Events
    July 22, 2025

    South West Expo Delivers Outstanding Event at Swindon’s STEAM Museum

    July 4, 2025

    £20k grant for female-founded SME up for grabs

    • Community
    July 11, 2025

    Building community, one cause at a time

    June 23, 2025

    Celebrating One Year In Fairford Supporting The Community

    • Food & Drink
    August 22, 2025

    How to get stocked by major retailers as an SME

    July 18, 2025

    Warning to Small Businesses Over New Food Waste Regulations

    • Books
    September 3, 2025

    New book on conquering fear of public speaking

    August 7, 2025

    Learning to Leave a Legacy in Business

    About

    SME Today is published by the same team who deliver The Great British Expos’. We have been organising various corporate events for the last 10 years, with a strong track record of producing well managed and attended business events across the UK.

    Join Our Mailing List

    Receive the latest news and updates from SMEToday.
    Read our Latest Newsletter:


    Sign Up
    X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    Categories
    • Books
    • Community & Charity
    • Education and Training
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Features
    • Finance
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Safety
    • HR & Recruitment
    • In Profile
    • Legal
    • Marketing
    • News
    • People
    • Property & Development
    • Sponsored Content
    • Technology
    • Transport & Tourism
    • Wellbeing & Mental Health
    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Editorial Submission Guidelines
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    Copyright © 2025 SME Today.
    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Editorial Submission Guidelines
    • Privacy
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.