Vienna SME in the focus: Greentools required for sustainable future!

Vienna SME in the focus: Greentools required for sustainable future!

As part of the EU-financed “Green At Heart” project, Oekobusiness Vienna has examined the important role of sustainably oriented small and medium-sized companies (SME) for a green economy. Partner organizations from Amsterdam and Madrid are involved in this project in order to jointly develop strategies for promoting sustainable practices in SMEs. Statistics show that 99.7 percent of all companies in Austria are SMEs, with over 150,000 companies exist in Vienna. Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky emphasizes the importance of these companies for green transformation and local added value.

A central result of the project is the identification of essential factors that promote the professionalization of SMEs in the areas of environment, social affairs and governance (ESG). This includes internal know -how and the availability of specialists. Conversely, SMEs often face numerous hurdles such as regulatory, financial and knowledge barriers. The analysis of 120 corporate reviews, which was carried out from an ESG point of view, showed that companies were able to increase their environmental services by an average of 34 percent with initially low knowledge, while companies with higher initial knowledge only achieved an increase of around 15 percent.

Instruments to support SMEs

As part of the project, two diagnostic tools were developed to support SMEs to improve their sustainability practices: Go Sustainable and Circular Transition Indicators (CTI). Each participating company received a funding of up to 8,000 euros to implement sustainability measures. These initiatives address the existing barriers and offer concrete help for SMEs.

The project is funded by the European Innovation Council and the Executive Agency for SMEs (idea of ​​ice), with financial support from the Cosme Fund. In a policy paper, central knowledge and recommendations are recorded in order to influence political decision -making processes and to promote sustainable management of SMEs.

Not only think locally, but also across Europe

A study by the Hasso Plattner Institute, the 169 entrepreneurs: Inside the sectors production, industry, construction and craft, shows that less than half of the companies surveyed (46 %) attach great importance to sustainability. The survey revealed that only 26 % of their own KPIs have set their sustainability progress. With 61 percent of those surveyed, social sustainability has the highest priority, followed by economic (52 %) and ecological sustainability (43 %).

Although 53 % of the companies do not employ employees: 41 % sustainability see the core value of their corporate identity inside. The motivations for sustainable management include improving the company image and increasing employer attractiveness.

With regard to the strategic orientation, an article from Haufe emphasizes the need for SMEs to define clear responsibilities in the ESG area. Four milestones are recommended to make progress on the way to sustainable corporate management: the determination of clear responsibilities, the implementation of a double materiality analysis, the development of sustainable strategies and the involvement of the supply chain.

For 2024, a turning point in sustainability reporting for SMEs is forecast, since the implementation of these milestones enables companies to proactively react to market conditions and stakeholder expectations. The integration strategies are crucial in order not only to achieve entrepreneurial goals, but also to have a positive impact on the environment and society.

Overall, the results of both the "Green At Heart" project and the additional studies show the challenges and opportunities for SMEs on the way to sustainable management. The need for action is obvious to make a significant contribution to green transformation both locally and at European level.

For more information about the projects and strategies for promoting SMEs in sustainability development, please visit the reports of press.wien.gv.at,, digitalzentrum-berlin.de and haufe.de.