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Published on April 9, 2025
ESG criteria are not a passing trend. How can you ensure your clients and partners meet this new requirement?
Integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into your SME might seem daunting. However, if you take a gradual but purposeful approach, it may be easier than expected.
There is a clear trend and 96% of investors state that ESG performance now plays a key role in their business decisions. This requirement has a cascading impact on the entire procurement chain and directly affects SMEs that supply large organizations.
A new commercial reality
If your company does business with major contractors, you may have already received questionnaires regarding your environmental practices and social policies. These assessments are more than a formality. They can directly impact your ability to obtain or retain contracts. Since SMEs make up 90% of all businesses globally, they have a significant collective impact on sustainable development.
A successful ESG process has many advantages including:
- An improved reputation and commitment to your stakeholders;
- Easier access to new markets;
- More efficient risk management;
- Increased appeal when recruiting and retaining personnel;
- Improved operational effectiveness;
- A tangible contribution to reducing your environmental footprint;
- Regulatory compliance;
- Boosting innovation as well as sustainable and original solutions;
- Strengthening investor relations.
Where do you begin?
The most important factor is taking a structured yet realistic approach. You can begin by following the steps below.
1. Conduct an initial diagnosis of your situation
- Evaluate your existing practices;
- Identify your strengths and areas for improvement;
- Take the time to understand your sector’s requirements.
2. Identify your key stakeholders
- Employees, clients and suppliers;
- The local community;
- Investors and financial partners;
- Regulatory bodies.
3. Define your priority actions based on their strategic importance and your ability to act
- Identify the most relevant challenges for your sector;
- Evaluate the potential impact on your business;
- Consider the available (human and financial) resources;
- Establish a realistic timeline (over 6 to 18 months);
- Set measurable and achievable objectives.
4. Build a dedicated ESG team
- Appoint an ESG Manager;
- Provide employee training
5. Develop a communication strategy
- Communicate your commitments;
- ESG progress and results.
6. Track and measure progress
- Establish performance indicators;
- Review and adjust as required.
Concrete actions for each element
On an environmental level, several concrete actions can be taken:
- Analyze your energy and water consumption;
- Prepare a waste reduction and reuse plan;
- Focus on local procurement;
- Optimize your travel and transport methods.
The social aspect of ESG is increasingly important. In a context where 52% of Quebecers state that they’d remain longer at a company that makes ESG commitments, investing in human resources is crucial. Among other things, this involves:
- Maintaining the employability of your teams;
- Implementing equitable salary structures;
- Introducing employee wellbeing programs;
- Fostering diversity and inclusion.
Governance, which is often overlooked by SMEs, deserves special attention. It helps companies to build the foundations of ethical and transparent management. In concrete terms, this means:
- Adopting robust governance policies;
- Ensuring transparent practices;
- Understanding and monitoring changes in regulatory requirements;
- Identifying and involving key stakeholders.
Focusing on ESG is a winning strategy
ESG criteria are not a passing trend. Since 84% of Quebecers consider that taking climate action is urgent, this trend is expected to gain momentum. SMEs that lead the way will essentially set themselves up for success.
What’s the key to success? Start small, but start immediately. Sustainable development is not a constraint, but rather an opportunity to rethink your business model and move towards a better performing and more responsible future.
Ten mistakes to avoid in your ESG process
- Doing everything yourself or else delegating everything to experts;
- Aiming for perfection right away;
- Treating your ESG approach as a cost rather than an investment;
- Overlooking internal and external communications;
- Underestimating the social and governance impacts;
- Disregarding the long-term impacts;
- Underestimating the importance of training;
- Failing to adapt your ESG strategy to market changes;
- Not integrating ESG into your corporate culture;
- Failing to involve stakeholders from the outset.
Transform your SME with an ESG approach. This gives you the opportunity to focus on a promising strategy for your organization. Not sure where to start? Don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts who can guide you throughout the process.