Establishing environmentally responsible enterprises

Entrepreneurship is one of the most important driving forces for innovation, increasing market efficiency and responding to challenges and opportunities. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, play a very important role in the social and economic development of a country. Often they are the major means for rural development, increasing off-farm employment and providing the transitional means for improving the livelihood of women. Responsible entrepreneurship can play a major role in improving the efficiency of resource use, reducing risks and hazards, minimizing wastes and safeguarding environmental qualities.

Small and medium sized-businesses are an important part of the UK economy. They are also responsible for one-third of the carbon dioxide emissions from business and a significant proportion of other waste. Smaller companies therefore have a significant role to play to help meet climate change targets. There can be significant benefits in improving environmental performance for companies of all sizes. On average a fifth of energy and a quarter of a company's waste can be avoided cost-effectively. Saving resources saves money and improves competitiveness – gain, not pain.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.