SME-nvironment 2003

The vast majority of small firms are doing very little to protect the environment while running their businesses, according to a new U.K. survey. The research, conducted by NetRegs, an organization promoting green issues to small firms, found only 20% of companies with fewer than ten employees had taken practical steps to limit their impact on the environment, compared with 44% of medium-sized firms. Indeed, only 20% of small companies had any kind of green policy at all, compared with over half of medium-sized firms. The study, which quizzed over 8,000 small and medium-sized business, also found few were aware of the business benefits of being environmentally friendly. Over half said they were concerned about the environmental in general, 39% felt pressured by green legislation, while just 8% said they were going green for business reasons.