What happens when the businesses that form the backbone of our economy are left out of the sustainability conversation? Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly recognizing the need to embrace Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, but the road ahead is fraught with challenges. In a thought-provoking discussion, industry leaders from diverse sectors shared their perspectives on how SMEs can overcome these hurdles and leverage collaborations to enhance their ESG initiatives.
The panel featured insights from Nick Clare, GM of Product & Insights at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce; Helen Maisano, Senior Director of Sustainability at Optus; Kimberly Randle, CEO of Fair Supply; Julia Tink, Founder of ethical coffee brand St Remio; and Ben Swan, Managing Director at Futureproof Consulting.
The Overlooked Role of SMEs in Sustainability
Nick Clare set the stage by highlighting the scope of the challenge, noting, “In Victoria alone, there are around 761,000 businesses, with 97% of them categorized as small or medium. That’s a significant part of the industry that needs to be engaged in ESG.” As many of these smaller organizations grapple with limited resources, understanding ESG requirements can feel overwhelming. Clare emphasized that his organization’s goal is to help SMEs by “simplifying complex issues” and making ESG approachable.
Helen Maisano from Optus shared how her company collaborates with SMEs in its supply chain to support their ESG transition. “At Optus, we have set ambitious targets, including achieving net zero by 2045. We work closely with procurement, finance, and other teams to ensure that sustainability practices are deeply integrated into our operations,” Maisano explained. While managing ESG can be daunting, she stressed the importance of collaboration, saying, “Reporting can be overwhelming, but through cross-departmental support and external resources, we’re helping SMEs navigate these waters.”
Read the full story in the November 2024 issue of Impact Leadership magazine.
