TAIEX Seminar/Workshop on Small Business Act

Jerusalem, 22 – 23 May 2013

Parallel session on Principle IX: Enable SMEs to turn environmental challenges into opportunities

Facilitator: Mr Seppo Laine Finland

© Seppo Laine 2013

The page is turning …

Handicap Neutral Competitive advantage = lagging behind = meeting the = taking the lead standards

• regulatory burden • nasty clients’ requirements• critical public media • stakeholder pressure• corporate atmosphere• etc

• new needs, new markets and business• boosting innovative thinking• re-branding• team satisfaction• stakeholder satisfaction• economic value added

© Seppo Laine 2013

Why?• 52 % changing client expectations• 39 % raw material shortages• 38 % competition• 37 % legislation• 36 % stakeholder requirements

The evidence is there!

BCG & MIT Sloan Management Review 2013:

• 2600 business leaders interview globally• 37 % improved business performance by sustainability orientation• 59 % of companies reached higher profits through new, sustainability focused target groups and value networks

• 40 % enhanced their corporate brand• 29 % created procuct and service innovations• 26 % enjoyed of a more positive management image• 22 % created new competitive edges• 22 % reached higher energy efficiency

© Seppo Laine 2013Source: Talouselämä 17/2013

Principle IX of the Small Business Act:

”The European Union and Member States should enable SMEs to turn environmental challenges into opportunities.

They should provide more information, expertise and financial incentives for full exploitation of the ’ opportunities for new ”green” markets and increased energy efficiency, partly through the implementation of environmental management systems in SMEs.”

© Seppo Laine 2013

What to do in practice: SBA suggestions

The Commission:• facilitate SMEs’ access to the Eco-Audit and Management Scheme (EAMS) through lighter environmental procedures, and lower fees (clusters)• support financially a new environmental expert team in the EEN

The Member states:• provide incentives for eco-efficient businesses and products, with simplified application procedures• make full use of the €2.5 bn allocated in Cohesion Policy programmes for support of eco-friendly products and processes in SMEs

© Seppo Laine 2013

The new grid: criteria for assessing the progress made

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

9.1 The ”greening” of the current SME strategies

9.2 Availability of experts to SMEs on environ- mental issues

9.3 Promoting the use of environmental management systems and standards

© Seppo Laine 2013

A moment of inspiration; quick look at someFinnish action lines

• Cleantech Finland - catalyst program www.finpro.fi

• Go Green – technology program www.tekes.fi

• Cleantech Cluster – regional program www.cleantechcluster.fi

• Crucial role of the VC investors www.zenrobotics.fi www.netcycler.fi www.canatu.fi www.vntmanagement.fi

© Seppo Laine 2013