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The largest ever study into the environmental behaviour of smaller UK businesses published today reveals that the nation’s smallest firms are losing out on key business benefits as a result of poor environmental performance.
A UK-wide survey, SME-nvironment 2003 surveyed 785 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across a range of 28 industries in Scotland. Highlighting that SMEs are failing to take action to protect the environment, the survey supports the need for a resource providing clear guidance on environmental legislation to help them improve the impact of their activities on the environment. The NetRegs initiative (www.netregs.gov.uk) in which the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is a partner, is addressing this need.
Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of SEPA said, “Every business, regardless of size, impacts on the environment and when discussing this impact, it is all too often the case that small businesses are overlooked. The NetRegs website has been designed with small and medium sized enterprises in mind, to help them make sense of the environmental legislation which affects their activities.
“The SME-nvironment 2003 survey highlights that there is still room for improvement, particularly when it comes to businesses understanding environmental legislation and the effects of their business on the environment. However, it’s not all doom and gloom.” He added, “Numerous businesses in Scotland are saving money by taking steps to improve their use of resources and lessen their impact on the environment. Last year’s Vision In Business for the Environment (VIBES) awards is testament to this.”
Results
Despite recognising the business benefits of going green, many smaller Scottish businesses are failing to take practical measures to reduce their impact on the environment and only a quarter of them have an environmental policy in place.
The survey found that only 22% of respondents had implemented any measures aimed at reducing harm to the environment. Such measures included appointing a member of staff to take responsibility for environmental matters (52%), implementing a programme of environmental improvements (40%) and taking measures to improve energy efficiency and/or reduce water use (18%).
When it comes to implementing positive environmental measures, 51% of businesses were motivated by a general concern for the environment, closely followed by 49% who were motivated by legislative pressure. However, only 20% of all respondents could name any environmental legislation – rising to 80% when prompted with a list of eight pieces of legislation.
The SME-nvironment 2003 survey also found that 46% of Scottish businesses would like more information and advice on environmental issues.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- NetRegs is a UK-wide partnership encompassing the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the Environment Agency (England and Wales) and the Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland and is aimed at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) who make up 99% of the 3.7m businesses in the UK. SMEs are defined as those businesses with less than 250 employees.
- The SME-nvironment 2003 survey was conducted during March and April 2003 via a telephone interview. Results can be viewed online at www.netregs.gov.uk. A hard copy is available on request.
- VIBES (Vision In Business for the Environment of Scotland) is a national initiative to reward and promote sustainable business practices through encouraging new environmental initiatives, raising awareness of best practice within the workplace, promoting effective resource use, recycling and pollution minimisation. Winners of the 2002 Competition were:-
- Small size category: The Scottish Nappy Company
- Medium size category: Morrison Bowmore Distillery Ltd
Further information and case studies available on request.
Contact
Catrina Findlay, 01786 455903, 07781 838846
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