A quarter (25%) of Britain's small firms have not taken any steps to make their businesses greener and a growing number are recognising they are not environmentally friendly, according to research from Lloyds TSB Business and the SERTeam at the Open University.
The study reveals that the number of small firms who see themselves as environmentally friendly has actually fallen over the past few years.
More than half (52%) of the UK’s small businesses believe they still have some way to go before they become environmentally friendly – a nine per cent increase on a similar survey in 1999. This is despite the fact that most firms (57%) realise customers are becoming increasingly sensitive to green business issues.
The firms questioned cite several reasons for their lack of action. A fifth (21%) blamed a lack of information on environmental issues; 15% said they lacked the time to make the necessary changes; and 12% said they didn’t fully understand the laws relating to green business. A worrying 14% said they didn’t believe environmental considerations were relevant.
Of the actions taken by firms that have made moves to improve their green credentials, most relate to transport. A third (33%) have cut down on non-essential business travel, however, just one in ten (11%) have switched to cleaner fuels. Similarly, only 14% have started to make greater use of public transport and just one in ten (11%) have cut down on air travel. However, in a sign of things to come, four per cent have begun to use hybrid vehicles.
Some firms have also made non-transport related changes. A quarter (26%) have begun to make more use of technology such videoconferencing to reduce reliance on meetings; one in ten (11%) have downsized their business, for example by moving to a smaller premises; and a similar number (9%) have changed the focus of their products and services to make them more environmentally friendly, for example by dealing only with customers who are green. One in twenty (5%) have gone to the extreme of relocating to reduce their impact on the environment.
Stephen Pegge, head of communications at Lloyds TSB Business, said: "This study seems to show that the potential cost of going green is a real worry for some small firms. However, those firms that are taking steps to change are demonstrating that a lot can be done to make an impact – and these changes don't always cost the earth. Indeed, sensible management of energy, waste and travel usually saves costs."
