Here are the key points from this annual survey of the UK's small & medium size businesses and their attitudes to the environment.
- Only 7% of SMEs thought their business undertakes activities which harm the environment. When prompted, 46% were found to undertake an environmentally harmful activity. The most common activities were storing waste (42%), storing chemicals, fuels or oil (38%) and producing, importing, selling or using packaging (29%).
- 38% of SMEs had not heard of relevant environmental regulations, even when prompted by a list.
- 55% of SMEs had introduced practical measures to prevent or reduce environmental harm – up from 48% in 2007.
- Just 6% had a person responsible for environmental issues although 28% had made energy efficiency or water reduction improvements.
- 4% had an Environment Management System in place (15% in 2007) and 23% an environmental policy (39% in 2007). Just 12% thought this would be useful to their business.
- 80% were ‘very’ or ‘quite unlikely’ to invest money in improving their environmental performance over the next 12 months.
- 24% had reduced operating costs, 20% reduced risk of prosecution/fines, 20% motivated the workforce, 18% improved customer relationships and 8% increased sales/profitability through improved environmental performance.
The first point is the most worrying. Do 93% of businesses really not switch on the lights in the morning, purchase raw materials or use transport ever? This was closely followed by the 38% who don't know any environmental legislation - this is way down on previous years but this year they appear to have been given a prompt list.
But the weird thing is the last two - some of those who had reduced operating costs weren't prepared to make any further investment, even though it is likely they would save even more cash. As we all know, businesses who have good green performance are doing better in this recession.
