Great Big Green Week is the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change but for businesses, it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your bottom line.

For many SMEs, sustainability can feel costly, complex, or hard to prioritise, but evidence from businesses actually taking green action, as set out in the Willow Review (2025), makes one thing clear: sustainability is not just good for the planet, it’s good for profit.

The business case for sustainability

The Willow Review^p5analysed real SME experiences and found clear financial returns:

• 67% of SMEs reported reduced operational costs
• 56% cited cost savings as a key motivation
• 52% attracted new customers due to sustainability
• 35% improved customer loyalty
• 68% saw a positive customer response

The statistics showed that sustainability translated directly into lower costs, stronger sales, and more resilient businesses.

How sustainability delivers financial gains

1. Lower costs through efficiency
Reducing energy use, minimising travel, cutting waste, and improving processes can significantly reduce running costs.

2. Win new customers, build loyalty and brand value
Over half of SMEs (52%) gained new customers through sustainability. Be transparent and promote your actions to show customers and staff how your business’ actions align with their values. Net zero is a journey and even small changes can differentiate your business.

3. Stay competitive
Sustainability is increasingly expected or required by corporates, in supply chains, and procurement. Doing nothing risks missing out on future growth and sales opportunities. Stay ahead by tracking simple metrics like energy use or waste.

4. Futureproof and protect your business from disruption.
Adapt and increase your business resilience by assessing climate risks such as flooding, heatwaves, and supply chain delays, and putting mitigation measures in place. This will help you avoid costly short-term fixes like increased energy bills from temporary cooling or reactive repairs.

Five changes to consider this Great Big Green Week

1. Switch to sustainable materials
2. Reduce travel and optimise logistics
3. Minimise waste
4. Improve energy efficiency and switch to a renewable energy supplier
5. Work with sustainable suppliers

Where to go for support

You don’t have to do this alone. There’s a growing support ecosystem designed to help SMEs take action quickly and cost-effectively:

Hertfordshire Growth Hub

For businesses in Hertfordshire, the Growth Hub offers local, tailored advice and support on net zero, including signposting to funding, events, and practical guidance to help you get started or accelerate progress. Read a case study.

Wenta – Action Zero Programme

Wenta’s Action Zero programme provides practical support to help SMEs reduce their carbon footprint, including carbon assessments, action planning, and one-to-one guidance.

UK Business Climate Hub

A government-backed platform offering clear, practical tools and step-by-step guidance on reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and accessing finance.

SME Climate Hub

A global initiative providing free tools, carbon calculators, and resources to help small businesses track emissions and commit to net zero.

Learn more about the Willow Review.
Learn about our Clean Growth Programme.