ESG for SMEs

ESG

In a Europe with a strong focus on the Green Deal, there are great development opportunities for organisations that are able to align themselves with the new ESG parameters. The regulatory framework is now well established. The new European regulatory system has recently introduced ESG as one of the drivers of economic development. For an SME, adapting to ESG means seizing and making the most of the opportunities that will arise in the coming years

The path to becoming a sustainable company includes ALIGNMENT with recognised standards and national and international norms

The main regulatory reference is the EU Regulation 2020-852 ("Taxonomy" Regulation) adopted by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan ("NRP to identify environmentally sustainable investments").

The challenge in the coming years for companies will be to be able to measure their environmental, social and governance performance with appropriate indicators based on the new ESG metrics.

For SMEs, it is a matter of equipping themselves with an internal information framework capable of systematically collecting the ESG data that is increasingly being requested by banks, the supply chain and investors.

Each company can take the path that best suits its needs and seize the different opportunities to become sustainable. Here are some concrete examples of how a company can start its sustainable activities by choosing different solutions with the support of RSM.

Our Services

Quick ESG Scan

The Quick ESG Scan provides an overview, in the space of a single day, of the level of readiness of an SME to become a sustainable business. RSM’s Quick ESG Scan is a simple tool that explores, from a 360-degree perspective, the areas in which an SME can take action to become a sustainable company in a short period of time.

Outsourced Sustainability Reporting

For an SME, establishing an internal business process to manage ESG information may be prohibitively expensive or complex. In such cases, SMEs that need to respond to ESG information questionnaires sent by banks, rating agencies and other companies within their supply chain can find an ideal solution by relying on RSM’s ESG technology platform to manage ESG information on an outsourced basis, in accordance with recognised reporting standards.

Becoming a Benefit Corporation

Amending the company’s articles of association to obtain the legal status of a Benefit Corporation makes it possible to align more effectively with the concept of a sustainable company, with the resulting advantages both in terms of reputation and from an economic and financial perspective. Becoming a Benefit Corporation is only the first step in the beginning of a new journey.

Making Products Sustainable through LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and EPD Certification

Being truly green, while avoiding greenwashing or green wishing, requires management based on the scientific analysis of significant environmental impacts, both within the company and across the entire value chain. One of the most rigorous methodologies, also provided for under European legislation, is LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), which analyses the product life cycle throughout the entire production process, both internal and external, from procurement through to reuse and disposal.

Additional ESG Services for SMEs

SMEs wishing to invest significantly in sustainability may request specific ESG services, which can be found in the other sections of the website, including: ESG Training, Materiality Assessment Procedures, CO2 Measurement, Voluntary Adoption of Sustainability Reporting in accordance with the CSRD Directive, Assurance, and obtaining ESG Certifications and Ratings. (For further information, please visit the other sections of the website.)