THE largest ever study of the environmental behaviour of smaller businesses in the south west has revealed that many are failing to take action to protect the environment.
The SME-nvironment 2003 survey of more than 800 small and medium-sized enterprises across a range of industries was commissioned for the NetRegs website, www. netregs.gov.uk, which was developed by the UK's environmental regulators to help small businesses understand their green obligations.
The survey found that only 26 per cent of the businesses questioned had taken any practical measures to limit their environmental impact. Such measures include appointing a member of staff with responsibility for environmental matters or carrying out an environmental assessment.
Only 24 per cent of SMEs had an environmental policy in place.
The research also showed that few SMEs were aware of the business benefits of going green.
When asked what had motivated them to take measures to prevent environmental damage, 55 per cent of respondents referred to a general concern for the environment and a further 31 per cent said they were motivated by legislative pressure.
However, only 10 per cent cited potential business benefits as the reason.
Despite listing legislative pressure as a key motivating factor, only 22 per cent could name any environmental regulations affecting their activities unprompted.
The survey also found that 37 per cent of businesses would welcome more information and advice in dealing with environmental matters.
NetRegs programme co-ordinator Tim Fanshawe said: "Every business in the south west, no matter how small, has an environmental impact.
"But what this research shows is that smaller businesses are failing to take steps to limit the effects of their activities.
"NetRegs is designed to help smaller businesses navigate the environmental legislation affecting their particular activities.
"But compliance is not just good for the environment, there are also real commercial benefits for small businesses a greener firm is often more competitive.
"It is essential that we communicate these benefits to smaller firms."
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