SMEs: the great forgotten of the green transition?

SMEs: the great forgotten of the green transition? – “6 Min. pour comprendre” with Pierre Léonard. Midoricast : Podcast #211

SMEs, the great forgotten of the ecological transition? Leave a voicemail message for Pierre Léonard with a question, a comment, encouragement or thanks here!

Do SMEs really have their place in the sustainable transition? In this episode of 6 Minutes pour comprendre (6 Minutes to Understand), Pierre Léonard debunks preconceived notions and puts small and medium-sized enterprises back at the centre of the game.

Often perceived as too small, too busy, or ill-informed to engage in sustainable approaches, SMEs nevertheless account for 40% of emissions from the private sector. But they also have the potential, the flexibility and the local impact to become the drivers of the ecological transition.

Limited resources? Yes, but not without solutions. Pierre shares concrete cases, a simple 3-step method, and immediately profitable levers for action.

Recruitment, retention, financing, competitiveness, public procurement: the benefits are numerous for SMEs that get ahead.

This podcast is a clear and motivating call to action for all leaders who want to contribute to a sustainable economy without sacrificing their profitability. With a powerful quote from Margaret Mead as a conclusion, this episode highlights what many forget:

“SMEs are not the problem… they are a big part of the solution.“

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• The Business Impact Assessment offered by B Corp
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• La Fresque de l’économie circulaire (The Circular Economy Fresco – French)
• Website of The Podcast Factory Org asbl-vzw
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Our podcasts are accessible to all!

In addition to the voicemail, each episode is segmented and accompanied by a full transcript, allowing deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to access it. And with a Google Translate plugin under Chrome, the episode becomes available in all languages! We also offer a video format.

Why this section?

We support companies that implement real and measurable ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) approaches. Pierre, on the other hand, trains and supports them towards this transition. Our approaches are different but complementary: we encourage, he guides.

This choice also poses a real challenge: where to draw the line?

Some companies mentioned in this section are not aligned with our current criteria, and we would refuse any collaboration with them as long as they do not initiate concrete change. But that is precisely where Pierre intervenes: his role is to initiate this transformation.

This podcast does not seek to judge, but to inspire. The objective? To encourage rather than discourage, to support rather than exclude.

Let’s commit together to a circular, sustainable and inclusive economy. Listen, reflect, act… in 6 minutes.

Listen to this podcast “SMEs, the great forgotten of the ecological transition?” from “6 Min. pour comprendre” with Pierre Léonard via our YouTube channel (subscribe: thank you!):

Podcast segmentation “SMEs, the great forgotten of the ecological transition?”:

• [00:00:34] Introduction to the section and the episode
• [00:00:53] Subject presentation: forgotten SMEs?
• [00:01:35] First observation regarding SMEs
• [00:02:50] Too much documentation?
• [00:02:55] Real economic opportunities
• [00:03:57] Competitive advantage
• [00:04:34] Attracting and retaining talent as an employer
• [00:04:49] SMEs: more agile and locally rooted
• [00:05:03] Three-step method to take action
• [00:06:25] Conclusion and announcement of the next topic
• [00:07:23] Note on occasional overruns and closure

Podcast transcript “SMEs, the great forgotten of the ecological transition?”:

Download the file to read the podcast transcript.

Michel Godart: [00:00:00] This podcast project is an initiative created and proposed by the non-profit organisation “The Podcast Factory Org”, sponsored by “transforma bxl – Innovation playground”. Since January 2025, and for five years, we are also sponsored by “Plugin Company”, our preferred operator of charging stations and cards. “The Podcast Factory Org” is very proud to be a member of “KAYA – Coalition des Écopreneur et Écopreneuses” (KAYA – Coalition of Ecopreneurs) and to collaborate with the “Love Health Center”. You can find all episodes of all our podcasts on the website “What’s Your Story .be”.

Jingle Intro: [00:00:33] Searching for a radio frequency (old radio mode: crackling), a station is picked up and the sound stabilises: “You are listening to The Podcast Factory Org”.

Michel Godart: [00:00:34] Welcome to a new episode of Midoricast, “6 Minutes pour comprendre” (6 Minutes to Understand) section. Because we now have several sections, we have a “Kayaa” section, we have a “6 Minutes pour comprendre” section. “Midori” means green in Japanese, “casts” for Broadcast, and I will hand over the floor to those primarily concerned with this section since he is the host and creator: Pierre Léonard. Thank you for joining me, Pierre!

Pierre Léonard: [00:00:53] Hello Michel, hello everyone, and welcome to “6 Minutes pour comprendre”, the podcast that answers all the questions decision-makers have about sustainable development. Today, I propose we talk about a subject that is particularly close to my heart: SMEs, and their place in the ecological transition. We often hear about large companies and their commitments to sustainable development, but what about small and medium-sized enterprises, which nevertheless represent the vast majority of the European economic fabric and nearly three out of four jobs? Are these SMEs the great forgotten of the sustainable transition? That is what I propose we explore together.

Pierre Léonard: [00:01:35] Firstly, an observation: SMEs are often perceived as having a relatively low environmental impact compared to large companies, and yet, collectively, their footprint is considerable. According to ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition, SMEs are responsible for more than 40% of greenhouse gas emissions from the private sector. However, they face specific challenges that complicate their commitment to this ecological transition. First, they only have limited resources. Unlike large groups, SMEs generally do not have a CSR department or a dedicated expert, and every euro invested in the ecological transition is €1 that is not invested elsewhere. Secondly, and this is the second objection I hear most often, the lack of time. Having run an SME myself, I know very well that the days often don’t have enough hours to manage all the priorities. We have our heads down and the ecological transition may seem less urgent than day-to-day management. Finally, limited access to information. Environmental regulations are complex and changing rapidly. And even if free public aid exists, without an in-house specialist it can be difficult to find your way around.

Michel Godart: [00:02:50] Even if you still had to take the time to document yourself, since there is too much documentation and it is too complex.

Pierre Léonard: [00:02:55] Exactly. But be careful, these challenges should not be an excuse for inaction, because SMEs also have every interest in engaging in the sustainable transition. And for several reasons. First, we have already talked about it, the economic opportunities are real. Let me give you two concrete examples that I have seen personally. Firstly, that of a company in the Liège region that identified a potential for tens of thousands of euros in savings simply by recovering resources that were lying dormant scattered in its various warehouses. Secondly, a semi-industrial bakery in Hainaut that found a way to valorise a by-product for which it previously had to pay for disposal and which actually transformed a cost into a source of additional income. In both cases, these results were obtained thanks to effective and targeted support that did not take much time and generated a return on investment that amply justified the effort.

Pierre Léonard: [00:03:57] The second reason to engage in a sustainable approach is the increasingly decisive competitive advantage that it represents. Large groups will gradually require their suppliers, who are very often SMEs, to comply with certain environmental criteria. This is already the case for major retailers such as Carrefour, which require specific commitments from its suppliers; by the way, this is another example that, contrary to many preconceived ideas, even the very large companies are making efforts in terms of the environment. In short, all this to say that for an SME, being ahead on these issues also ensures that it retains its customers.

Pierre Léonard: [00:04:34] Finally, a sustainable approach is increasingly a major asset for attracting and retaining talent as an employer. In an economy where the war for skills is raging, young graduates are increasingly sensitive to the environmental impact of their future employer.

Pierre Léonard: [00:04:49] So the good news is that SMEs have specific advantages for successfully carrying out this transition. They are often more agile, decision-making processes are shorter, and their local roots give them a natural legitimacy to act locally.

Pierre Léonard: [00:05:03] Well, knowing all this, how do we take concrete action to, once again, reconcile sustainability and profitability? Here is a three-step method that I use with the companies I support. Start with a diagnosis that will analyse three key areas: how to reduce the quantities of resources you need to run your business, how to optimise the use you make of your assets, and how to minimise the waste you produce, either by avoiding it or by valorising it? Second step: prioritise quick-impact actions by specifically choosing what is most profitable and easiest for your company to do in the short term. Establish a personalised and realistic roadmap rather than spreading yourself too thin. The objective here is to identify the two or three actions that will bring you the best return on investment as quickly as possible. And if I take the example of my Liège company, they identified these tens of thousands of euros in one afternoon after 12 hours of work, in a single session, so it can go very quickly. Thirdly, do not hesitate to collaborate, whether with an external specialist or by joining a network of committed companies such as “Kaya”, the coalition of Ecopreneurs that Michel has surely told you about in other episodes of “Midoricast”, or the “Consom’action” network. Together, we pool costs, share best practices, learn faster, and can also put pressure more easily.

Pierre Léonard: [00:06:25] In conclusion, no, SMEs are not condemned to remain the great forgotten of the ecological transition. On the contrary, they can be its champions by relying on their agility and their local roots, all for an investment in time and money that will quickly pay off. And that reminds me of the quote from the anthropologist Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote applies perfectly to SMEs in the context of the ecological transition. So, dear female and male leaders of SMEs, the ball is in your court. The ecological transition is not a luxury reserved for large companies; it is a necessity and an opportunity for all organisations, regardless of their size. Thank you for being with me during these “6 Minutes pour comprendre” the crucial role of SMEs in the sustainable transition. In the next episode, we will talk about ESG, CSR, and the difference between the two, see you soon.

Michel Godart: [00:07:23] And we are going to go a little over your “6 Minutes pour comprendre”, Pierre, as listeners know, I have another podcast that talks about human resources and passions at work. And in this podcast, I hear more and more from younger generations who come to my microphone, or older generations who tell me about the challenges they face in recruitment in companies, and what you mentioned earlier is a major point. New generations are increasingly looking for jobs with meaning. And when given the choice, they prefer to be paid less but work for a company that makes sense than to work for a large group that has no scruples. To conclude all this, I invite listeners to contact you and seek your guidance if they are in an SME, see you soon.

Pierre Léonard: [00:08:02] See you soon, Michel.

Jingle Outro: [00:08:07] Searching for a radio frequency (old radio mode: crackling), a station is picked up and the sound stabilises: “You are listening to The Podcast Factory Org”.

Michel Godart: [00:08:08] This podcast project is an initiative created and proposed by the non-profit organisation “The Podcast Factory Org”, sponsored by “transforma bxl – Innovation playground”. Since January 2025, and for five years, we are also sponsored by “Plugin Company”, our preferred operator of charging stations and cards. “The Podcast Factory Org” is very proud to be a member of “KAYA – Coalition des Écopreneur et Écopreneuses” (KAYA – Coalition of Ecopreneurs) and to collaborate with the “Love Health Center”. You can find all episodes of all our podcasts on the website “What’s Your Story .be”.

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