Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 98% of all businesses in South Africa. There are between 2.4 million and 3.5 million in the country. They play a vital role in creating an estimated 66% of all jobs and supporting local economies.
But little has been known about SMEs’ environmentally friendly or sustainability practices. For example, do they protect the environment they work in? Do they see environmental stewardship as a core part of managing their businesses? Are they willing to switch to renewable energy? And do SMEs include environmentally friendly social development initiatives in their operations and strategies?
