Intelligent SME.tech Issue 37 | Page 41

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// FEATURE //

No CSO ? No problem :

HERE ’ S HOW SMES CAN ACHIEVE ESG GOALS WITH LESS

According to the WEF , SMEs are key to a more sustainable future . But many don ’ t have the resources or a CSO to drive ESG strategies . Sorouch Kheradmand , Head of Partner Sustainability at Schneider Electric , talks about how businesses can still achieve environmental goals even with limited resources and without a CSO .
CCORDING TO A recent

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World Economic Forum ( WEF ) report , small- and mediumsized enterprises ( SMEs ) are the ‘ key to a more sustainable and inclusive world ’. And rightfully so – they make up 90 % of businesses globally and form an indispensable part of the world ’ s supply chains .
However , many SMEs aren ’ t yet engaged with environmental , social and governance ( ESG ) issues , often because they lack
the budgets , time or resources to invest in a specialist team or appoint a Chief Sustainability Officer ( CSO ). However , as new regulations like the EU ’ s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive come into force , SMEs need to adapt .
Fortunately , even businesses with limited resources have the power to make a huge environmental impact . If SMEs take the time to plan realistic changes , implement them carefully and then continually iterate on their performance , they can make tangible

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WITHOUT FIRST UNDERSTANDING ESG , YOU WON ’ T KNOW WHAT RESOURCES ARE NEEDED OR THE BEST COURSE TO TAKE .
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