Meeting the Moment: What the Willow Review Means for Business – and How iiE Can Help

The Willow Review is an independent, government-backed review, commissioned to understand the sustainability landscape for UK SMEs and social enterprises, has delivered a clear message: businesses that embed sustainability into their core strategies will not only survive, but thrive.

The Willow Review finds that 67% of SMEs who benefit from sustainability practices report reduced operational costs, and over half are attracting new customers. But turning this into action isn’t always easy. The challenges range from limited resources to unclear regulations. That’s where Genee and Investors in the Environment (iiE) step in, by providing an accessible accreditation scheme that supports organisations at every stage of their sustainability journey.

Genee: Making Sustainability Achievable for SMEs

Genee is a B Corp certified Environmental Consultancy, and the North East & North West Hub for Investors in the Environment, playing a critical role in helping businesses across the region take confident steps towards sustainability.

While Genee works with organisations of all sizes and sectors, a large proportion of its client base is made up of SMEs and social enterprises. These businesses often face the greatest barriers, from time constraints to limited in-house expertise, but also have the most to gain.

Through tailored support, training, and engagement, Genee helps organisations take their first steps, and keep going, on the path to sustainability. Our hands-on approach enables businesses to turn ambition into action, using the iiE framework as a structured and practical guide.

Genee’s mission is to remove the guesswork and lower the barriers to getting started. Whether you’re a start-up, charity, or a long-established SME, Genee provides a practical, affordable route into environmental management and certification.

What Did the Willow Review Find?

The Willow Review outlines five key areas for SMEs to focus on:

• Start with Purpose: the most resilient businesses link sustainability to their values, strategy, and customer proposition. A clear sustainability vision inspires action and attracts investment.

  
  

• Act on the Basics: SMEs should begin with straightforward changes: reduce energy use, switch to sustainable materials, minimise waste, and review transport. These measures cut both costs and carbon.

  
  

• Measure What Matters: you can’t manage what you don’t measure. The review found that many SMEs struggle with data – yet tracking progress (even informally) is essential for accountability and improvement.

  
  

• Get Support – Don’t Go It Alone: from green finance to peer mentoring, collaboration is key. The review calls for better access to advice, networks, and financial tools for SMEs.

  
  

• Build Supply Chain Readiness: sustainability isn’t just internal. More SMEs are now facing ESG expectations from clients, funders, and regulators. Futureproofing requires understanding and engaging your supply chain.

  
  

How iiE Helps Businesses Respond

Investors in the Environment (iiE) is a nationally recognised environmental accreditation scheme that turns the Willow Review’s recommendations into practical, measurable action – and with Genee’s help, it's never been easier for regional SMEs to get involved.

Here’s how iiE aligns with the Willow framework:

• Strategic Sustainability Support: iiE helps organisations define a clear environmental policy, aligned with their purpose, brand, and community impact.

  
  

• Practical Action Planning: Using the iiE framework, organisations can create and implement effective action plans across energy, transport, waste, biodiversity, and procurement.

  
  

• Measurement and Baselines: iiE provides tools and guidance to set baselines, monitor carbon footprints, and track progress – no matter your starting point.

  
  

• External Recognition: Achieving iiE certification (Bronze, Silver, Green) demonstrates your commitment to sustainability, building trust with funders, clients, and your wider community.

  
  

• Ongoing Support and Learning: iiE members gain access to webinars, templates, coaching, and a peer network – empowering teams to lead change confidently and collaboratively.

  
  

The Opportunity Ahead

The Willow Review confirms what many already know: the transition to a low-carbon, nature-positive economy is not just an environmental necessity, but a massive business opportunity.

With opportunities like Investors in the Environment, SMEs no longer have to choose between ambition and action. With access to existing templates and resources, as well as local consultants with Genee, sustainability is more achievable than ever.

Whether you're a social enterprise, small charity, or growing SME, iiE offers the structure, recognition, and support to help you act on sustainability with purpose.

Learn more about how Genee is helping North East businesses take the lead in sustainability by contacting us on info@genee.org.uk.