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EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 17 December 2013
European SMEs getting greener, contributing to a
resource-efficient economy
Compared to last year, European SMEs are becoming more resource efficient and are
contributing substantially to the transition towards a low-carbon economy, according to
the results of the 2013 Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green
markets" published today. For example, the survey shows that 42% of EU SMEs now have
at least one full or part-time green employee1 – a 5% increase from 2012 which exceeds
the expectations set by businesses almost two years ago (IP/12/316).
Furthermore, more than nine in ten SMEs are taking at least one action to be more
resource efficient and the level of their efforts has increased since last year. The most
common actions are minimising waste (67%), saving energy (67%) and saving materials
(59%). At least half are also recycling by reusing material or waste within the company, or
by saving water (both 51%).
Half of European SMEs active in green markets offer products and services with
environmental features such as organic production and eco-labelling or eco-design (51%).
More than one third (35%) offer products or services in the area of recycled material - 6%
more than in 2012. Construction, food & beverages and electronic & mechanical
machinery and equipment are still the most commonly sold green products and services.
European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and
Entrepreneurship said: "I am happy to see that European SMEs are taking on this huge
challenge of moving to a greener economy. However, we need to give them more support
in their efforts, so they can take advantage of the untapped possibilities for reducing
costs, boosting revenues and creating more green jobs. The survey also shows that the
United States SMEs are catching up quickly, so there is no room for complacency. We
have a lot of work to do to become more competitive in this important sector."
For more information on the 2013 Eurobarometer survey see MEMO/13/1152
Link to the full report and country factsheets
A green job is one that directly works with information, technologies, or materials that preserves or restores
environmental quality. This requires specialized skills, knowledge, training, or experience.
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IP/13/1256
Resource efficiency driven by rising costs of energy and materials
In terms of the efforts to become more resource efficient, not only are more than 93% of
SMEs already taking action, but when asked about the future, eight out of ten SMEs are
planning additional resource efficiency actions in the next two years.
However, this change is mostly taking place because of the increased pressure on SMEs
from rising costs of energy and materials to become more resource efficient. Only 28% of
SMEs say the environment is one of the top priorities for their company.
Four in ten (38%) SMEs do not experience any difficulty when trying to set up resource
efficiency actions. Nevertheless, complex legal or administrative procedures remain a
barrier for a quarter of SMEs (26%).
Green markets remain substantially domestic
The share of European SMEs selling green products or services remained unchanged
compared to last year (26%) whereas it increased in the US (34%). In the EU, customer
demand remains the single most important reason to sell green products and services for
SMEs (50%). Companies’ core values (33%) and image (31%) also play a role in this
respect.
Green markets for SMEs, however, remain substantially domestic, as at least nine out of
ten SMEs selling green products or services say their own country is their main market in
terms of annual turnover (91%). Almost one in five (19%) say that the Single Market is
their main market. Only 7% of green EU SMEs are targeting third countries as important
markets for their products and services.
Stronger policy measures could help further greening of SMEs
Policy measures can help unleash 'green growth' among EU SMEs. Financial incentives are
considered by SMEs as the best means to help them become greener in the way they
operate and the products and services they offer.
 More than a third (34%) of SMEs considers grants or subsidies as the best policy
measures to support resource efficiency investments.
 Almost half (46%) of the SMEs that are already offering green products indicate that
financial incentives for developing products would be the best way to help the
expansion of their range of green products or services.
 29% of the SMEs that are currently not offering green products and services believe
that financial incentives would be the best way to help them launch a range of green
products or services.
However, financial incentives are not the only effective policy measure for EU SMEs. One
quarter mention consultancy on improving resource efficiency (25%) as important, while
22% would like advice on funding possibilities for resource efficiency investments. 17% of
SMEs think that assistance identifying potential customers or markets would help them to
venture into the green markets.
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Background
The Flash Eurobarometer survey2 "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets" was
carried out by TNS Political & Social, between the 9th and the 27th of September 2013.
The European Commission asked more than 11.000 SMEs about matters related to
resource efficiency and green markets, following a similar survey previously conducted in
2012. The survey was conducted in the 28 EU Member States as well as in Albania,
Iceland, Liechtenstein, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway,
the Republic of Serbia, Turkey, Israel and the United States.
Contacts:
Carlo Corazza (+32 2 295 17 52) @ECspokesCorazza
Sara Tironi (+32 2 299 04 03)
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It is a survey that covers businesses employing one or more persons in the Manufacturing (Nace category C),
Retail (Nace category G), Services (Nace categories I/J/K/H/L/M/) and Industry (Nace categories B/D/E/F)
sectors within the European Union. It also covers sole traders.
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