Emerging Small & Medium Business Award

The Emerging Small and Medium Business category is for businesses that are new to sustainability, having actively begun implementing sustainable actions within the last two years, and have fewer than 20 employees.

These businesses have identified their key areas of social and environmental impact; and are monitoring and managing these plus other aspects of their business operations. They may be recognising and reporting efficiency gains, and may be making initial steps to report on outcomes. They may also have an environmental or sustainability policy to underpin this approach along with a set of values (which are written down), and include some social, cultural or environmental factors. These are beginning to be translated into their business practices, influencing aspects of it for examples their supply chain management.

Emerging businesses consider their employment practices to be an important aspect of their sustainability and productivity. They have good relationships with the local communities they work in and influence, and are taking steps to positively contribute to these.