More than six million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the globe are calling on world leaders to take urgent and coordinated action to support business-led climate progress, warning that the path to net zero will stall without their inclusion.
In an open letter released ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, the SME Climate Hub and its global partners urged governments to adopt a unified set of policies that unlock green finance, simplify climate guidance, and create meaningful incentives for smaller firms to take action.
SMEs account for 90 per cent of global businesses and generate over half of the world’s GDP, yet they are among the least supported when it comes to decarbonisation. Despite their crucial role in local economies and international supply chains, most small businesses still face significant barriers to climate action. A recent SME Climate Hub survey found that 80 per cent of respondents reported either minimal government support or no awareness of existing climate-related incentives.
“The global climate transition cannot succeed if SMEs are left behind,” said Pamela Jouven, Director of the SME Climate Hub. “Governments have the power to turn climate risk into business opportunity. We’re urging Heads of Delegations at COP30 to adopt a practical policy framework that empowers SMEs and recognises them as vital contributors to the net zero transition.”
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