FSB: Environmental awareness and social responsibility: top small business priorities for 2008

The New Year message for 2008 from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is that small firms are more environmentally aware and socially responsible than ever before.

An FSB report reveals that an overwhelming majority of small businesses (92%) are socially and environmentally responsible, with 83% already engaged in waste minimisation and recycling.

The findings contradict claims by the Carbon Trust that smaller companies are not playing their part in efforts to fight climate change. The survey also highlights that much of the jargon on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is unfamiliar, yet 76% of small businesses define their long-standing actions in this area as simply good business practice.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said:

“This report makes clear that small businesses in this country are already doing much to reduce their carbon footprint and that they are socially aware and responsible.

“Small businesses view things like recycling and waste minimisation as plain old good business practice. What is confusing for many, however, is the corporate jargon that surrounds these issues, including umbrella terms such as CSR.

“If government bodies feel that small businesses are not doing enough, then a good strategy for 2008 would be to communicate more clearly with them and offer more practical guidance on the steps they can take.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. For a full copy of the report, please contact the FSB Press Office (details below).

2. Small businesses employ 58% of the private sector workforce, contribute over 50% of UK GDP and make up more than 99% of all UK businesses.

3. The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 210,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.

Contacts:

For interviews with FSB Chief Spokesman Stephen Alambritis or other senior FSB personnel please contact the FSB Press Office.

FSB Press Office

Simon Briault: 07917 628998

Belinda Webb: 07825 125 695

For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk/regions