Boosting sustainability in SMEs is essential to accelerating global climate action and economic growth.

Tianjin (China)/Madrid, June 23 (EFEverde).– Accelerating the sustainable transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could be key to achieving global climate goals and unlocking new economic opportunities, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum.

The document, titled “Sustainability Meets Growth: A Roadmap for SMEs and Mid-Sized Manufacturers,” highlights that SMEs represent 90% of the global business community and between 40% and 60% of private sector greenhouse gas emissions.

Despite their importance, these companies remain one of the least supported segments in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The report, prepared in collaboration with Schneider Electric, lays out a practical roadmap to facilitate this shift.

A strategic opportunity, not a cost

According to the study, integrating sustainability into SME operations and strategies should no longer be viewed as an additional expense, but as a business opportunity. Sixty-eight percent of surveyed SMEs view sustainability positively, and 38% see it as a clear path to growth.

Furthermore, 60% of surveyed companies cited customer demand as the primary driver of climate action, even surpassing government regulation. This reflects a shift in business mindset, which is beginning to recognize the competitive value of being sustainable.

“The future of manufacturing lies in empowering SMEs to lead a more sustainable and inclusive economy,” said Esther Finidori, Chief Sustainability Officer at Schneider Electric.

Persistent barriers to decarbonization

However, the transition is not without its obstacles. Fifty-three percent of SMEs cite competing priorities, such as cost control and business expansion, as their main barriers. Political uncertainty (47%) and financial constraints (42%) also stand out.

To overcome these challenges, the report proposes creating collaborative support mechanisms between the public and private sectors, with tools such as targeted financing, knowledge networks, regulatory guidance, and technical assistance for implementation.

“Sustainability can become a competitive advantage in a changing economic and regulatory environment,” stressed Kiva Allgood, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.

A crucial role in global climate action

The roadmap presented emphasizes that small and medium-sized manufacturers play a key role in the decarbonization of global value chains. Their sustainable transformation can multiply the positive climate impact on a global scale.

The report notes that, according to the Paris Agreement, emissions must peak by 2025 and be reduced by 43% by 2030. Aligning the economic growth of SMEs with these goals is, according to its authors, both feasible and urgent.

“The leading SMEs will be those that build resilient, high-performance value chains through sustainability,” Finidori concluded.

Illustration by Víctor Solis @visoor for the Green Cartoon in EFEverde