Most Irish SMEs to commit to sustainability in next year

Nine out of 10 Irish SMEs plan to maintain or increase investment in sustainability practices and solutions in the next 12 months to meet what many see as a growing consumer appetite for more sustainable products and services, according to the bi-annual Uisce Éireann SME Sustainability Sentiment Survey.

The majority (73%) intend to maintain current levels of investment, while over one in five expect to increase their spend in this area.

Satisfying customers’ desire for more sustainable products and services is now the second (43%) most important key driver influencing SME decision-making on investment in sustainability, ranking behind achieving cost savings (55%).

More than half of Irish SMEs (52%) believe operating a sustainable business attracts more customers.

While 72% of SMEs continue to identify cost concerns and rising costs as the stand-out barrier to investing more in sustainability practices, three out of 10 state a lack of information on sustainability practices and lack of Government support (45%) as problematic barriers. The survey found the majority of Irish SMEs (64%) are not aware or not sure where to access supports including information and financial guidance to achieve sustainability savings.

Uisce Éireann offers a range of free initiatives to help SMEs reduce costs and become more sustainable when it comes to their use of water, including its Water Stewardship Programme and Annual Certification Scheme. 

“We understand the concerns and challenges facing SMEs and this summer we commenced writing to all our 180,000 commercial customers, detailing their projected water costs and advising how they can achieve savings while also conserving water and becoming more sustainable,” said Geoffrey Bourke, business operations manager at Uisce Éireann. “We would encourage all SMEs to visit the Uisce Eireann website to find out how they can help conserve water and reduce costs.

In May of this year, Image Skillnet published its Sustainability Strategy and Action Framework for the Hair and Beauty Sector to help businesses become more sustainable.

The enterprise-led training network noted that because the industry uses large amounts of energy, water, plastic and chemicals, it produces large amounts of waste. It said that reducing consumption is not only better for people and the planet, it’s better for the bottom line too.