Backing SMEs is a Welcome Move – But Where is the Green Vision?

We welcome the UK Government’s new plan for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses - SMEs are the backbone of our economy, contributing over half of employment and driving local innovation and resilience. A dedicated focus on reducing barriers, streamlining procurement, and improving access to finance is not only timely, it is essential.

However, while the plan gets many things right, there is one glaring omission that cannot be ignored: the absence of a clear strategy for environmental management and sustainable growth.

At Genee, we work with hundreds of SMEs across the UK. What we consistently see is that those businesses investing in sustainability - whether through resource efficiency, carbon reduction, or embedding ESG practices - are more resilient, more competitive, and better prepared for the future. Environmental management is no longer just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a strategic advantage.

Empowering SMEs Through Practical Sustainability: Investors in the Environment

Genee supports SMEs across the North East and North West through the Investors in the Environment (iiE) accreditation scheme. Developed with SMEs in mind, iiE offers an accessible and easy-to-follow framework that supports organisations in building robust environmental management systems, whether they’re just starting their sustainability journey or are further along the path.

What makes iiE different is its flexibility and practicality. It’s a framework that works with your business, not against it. This is not a tick-box exercise. It's a roadmap that enables continuous improvement, embeds sustainability into the heart of your operations, and ultimately supports sustainable business growth.

iiE provides organisations with the tools, templates, and guidance they need so they aren’t starting from scratch. Instead of being overwhelmed by complexity or jargon, SMEs are empowered to take meaningful, achievable steps, knowing they are contributing to long-term resilience and futureproofing.

A Green Economy Needs Green Businesses

Future-proofing SMEs cannot be achieved without addressing the climate crisis, resource pressures, or the sweeping regulatory shifts ahead. To truly invest in the next generation of British business leaders, we must ensure they are equipped to thrive in a green economy.

That means enabling SMEs to:

• Measure and reduce their environmental impact

• Adapt to emerging sustainability regulations

• Build resilience to climate-related risks

• Unlock opportunities in low-carbon markets

  
  

We urge policymakers to take a more holistic view. Supporting SMEs isn’t just about cutting red tape, it’s about embedding sustainability as a core pillar of long-term economic success.

Let’s ensure future business support plans recognise sustainability not as an optional extra, but as an essential driver of productivity, resilience, and growth. Only then will we see SMEs not just survive, but lead the way in building a greener, stronger Britain.

To get support to develop your organisation’s environmental management system and receive recognition in the process, contact Genee at jo@genee.org.uk.