Fewer than one in ten SMEs in Denmark are documenting their climate footprint, while less than a fifth are reporting on sustainability, new data from Erhvervshus Sjælland has revealed.
According to the business support group, many SMEs are hesitant to enter into sustainability reporting because it is difficult to get an overview of the legislation and requirements that apply to their industry, or their particular set of circumstances.
‘Increasing intent’
This is changing, albeit slowly, according to Anja Christophersen, head of communications at Erhvervshus Sjælland. “Although many small and medium-sized companies are not yet subject to legal requirements regarding sustainability, we are still experiencing an increasing interest in working more strategically with ESG.
“This is mainly due to the fact that several large companies are placing greater demands on documentation of sustainability in their supply chains. So, we are looking at a market where sustainability is an increasing competitive parameter that is important to work with if you want to be strong as a company.”
Sustainability funding
Erhvervshus Sjælland has announced a DKK 50 million (€6.7 million) fund to enable SMEs to take the next steps on their sustainability journey, with firms able to apply for a DKK 50,000 or DKK 150,000 grant for an advisor, for which they must co-finance a corresponding amount.
The DKK 50 million grant is being issued by Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse, the Danish Business Development Board, to strengthen the sustainability footprint of Denmark‘s small and medium enterprise network.
“We know that ESG is a big deal, and it varies greatly how far SMEs are on their sustainability journey,” Christophersen added. “Some have just made a decision to get started. Others have been working on it for years.
“The new offering means that we can now better meet the needs of companies, regardless of where they are on that scale.” Read more here.
