European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are progressing towards environmental sustainability, employing new strategies to increase resource resource efficiency and driving the green transition. "The 2024 Eurobarometer on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMES), resource efficiency, and green markets", published earlier this month by the European Commission, reveals which strategies SMEs are undertaking to become greener and foster long-term competitiveness. With the EU recording 26 million SMEs, the survey's results will feed into the Commission's efforts to cut this important source of corporate CO₂ emissions whilst supporting businesses to gain a competitive edge. 

Key Findings: 

The survey reveals that a staggering 93% of SMEs in the EU are implementing at least one initiative to increase their resource efficiency. The most popular methods were saving energy (66%) and minimising waste (66%), followed closely by saving materials (57%). 

21% of respondents indicates that they have strategies to cut their carbon emissions, whilst 4% report that they are already climate neutral! Renewable energy is also on the rise, with the results indicating that 12% of SMEs generate renewable energy onsite, whilst a further 23% purchase energy from a renewable energy supplier.

SMEs responding to the survey indicated that they often face challenges, including complex administrative or legal procedures (35%) and high costs (28%), deterring businesses from implementing resource-efficiency measures. Despite this, 30% of experienced reduced costs from increased efficiency! 

Want to learn more about how European SMEs are embracing the Green Transition and shifting their business operations towards environment sustainability? Dive into the full Flash Eurobarometer here! 

Remember: you can register via the Promoting Enterprise app for the SME Assembly and live stream 'The SME Sustainable Enterprise Panel' at 9:30am CET on 19 November for a high-level expert discussion exploring how SMEs can remain sustainable and competitive!