Partner Article

Small firms twice as green but still need support

Twice as many small businesses are now implementing practical environmental measures compared with 2005, a new report has claimed. According to a new study by NetRegs, which provides guidance to businesses on environmental regulations, there has been a marked shift in small businesses’ awareness of their impact on the environment.

The study noted that 40% of small and medium-sized businesses now have an environmental policy in place compared to a mere 26% just two years ago. However, it also found that many small firms were still unaware of how their business practices impacted on the environment, and therefore needed more advice from regulators and local authorities.

Tricia Henton, director of environment protection at the Environment Agency, said: “There is a growing will among small and medium-sized businesses to protect the environment through improved business practices. “But with limited time at their disposal, many small businesses still don’t understand their basic environmental obligations.”

NetRegs said the fact that small and medium-sized businesses had been fined around £2.4m for pollution and environmental damage over the past year meant the need for better support had never been greater.

Richard Martin, NegRegs programme manager, said: “Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine room of our economy - making up 99% of UK business and contributing over £10bn to the economy. “The government is committed to delivering better, not more, regulation - and many [small firms] wrongly assume that assessing their environmental impact will be expensive in time and money. In fact, small businesses can often save money by reducing waste and using water and energy more efficiently.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .