Sustainability PROTECT THE PLANET Making your company more sustainable is good for the planet - and for your business. Here's how to boost your eco-credentials without breaking the bank H ow sustainable is your business? We all know the importance of environmental and corporate social responsibility. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) represent around 90% of businesses and 50% of employment worldwide. According to the Carbon Trust, without SMEs committing to reducing their carbon emissions, the goals of the Paris Agreement will not be achieved. Businesses small and large must include sustainable business practices in their strategies - it's no longer an optional extra. However, while large companies can aff ord the luxury of in-house teams to monitor their progress, smaller businesses often struggle to dedicate the required time and money to address environmental concerns. However, there are lots of simple ways for your business to go greener - here's how... Make a plan A survey commissioned by the Carbon Trust in 2020 found that 80% of SMEs are already taking action on energy effi ciency, and 51% want to do more. The most popular energysaving initiative was to install LED lighting, with cost reduction being an additional benefi t. However, the survey also found that more than two-thirds of SMEs do not have a consistently documented and implemented energy policy. The number one barrier for SMEs to act on improving energy effi ciency is lack of time and money. But being green is good for business - research by the Carbon Trust found that SMEs were much more likely 389