For a successful recovery, a stable and predictable environment for long-term sustainable growth must be re-established as quickly as possible. Sustainability should represent a growth opportunity for all businesses. However, the latest ‘Flash Eurobarometer’ survey on SMEs shows 70% of EU SMEs say they are facing at least one obstacle that prevents their enterprise from becoming sustainable.

From the start-up stage, sustainability is seen as an afterthought for many SMEs, with the focus being on profits, revenue and business growth.

The current motto of the COVID recovery is to ‘build back better’, by placing sustainability and the environment at the forefront of our social and economic recovery. How can SMEs be encouraged and supported to recover strongly, whilst also thinking sustainably?