What extent can Small or Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), in the UK address the issues of sustainability? : A case study of the UK microbrewery industry and Thornbridge Brewery in the Heart of the Peak National Park
Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) account for 99% of the 4.9 million businesses in the UK and represent 59% of private employment. When it comes to the challenges of sustainability however, their individual impact is relatively insignificant and as such the focus of sustainability falls on large, often global firms that can have significant individual impact. Collectively, SMEs environmental, social and economic impact is considerable; they therefore have incredible potential to address the issues of sustainability in the modern world, if their response to such challenges can be collective, coordinated and coherent. Currently this is not the case with SMEs tackling sustainability in a sporadic and highly variable manner. The reasons for this response range from a lack of expertise or understanding, limited time and resources, a feeling of futility for the apparent limited impact they can have on these issues to finally, the perception of cost. As a small, local business in an environmentally sensitive area such as the Peak District National Park, Thornbridge plays an active role in the community whilst striving to maintain an environmentally responsible profile. This study aims to harness this enthusiasm, identifying real sustainability opportunities, which provide both financial benefit and contribute to the local community and environment. It will also consider effective strategies and mechanisms to encourage SMEs to implement sustainable programmes and green technology, through the roles of industry networks and government incentives, both within the Peak National Park and on a national scale. It is hoped that these lessons can be applied to other often-‐fragmented industries with high proportions of SMEs, so business and SMEs in particular can realise their potential in meeting the sustainability challenge |