TAIEX Seminar/Workshop on Small Business Act Jerusalem, 22 – 23 May 2013 Parallel session on Principle IX: Enable SMEs to turn environmental challenges into opportunities Facilitator: Mr Seppo Laine Finland © Seppo Laine 2013

The page is turning … Handicap Neutral Competitive advantage = lagging behind = meeting the = taking the lead standards regulatory burden nasty clients’ requirements critical public media stakeholder pressure corporate atmosphere etc new needs, new markets and business boosting innovative thinking re-branding team satisfaction stakeholder satisfaction economic value added © Seppo Laine 2013

Why? 52 % changing client expectations 39 % raw material shortages 38 % competition 37 % legislation 36 % stakeholder requirements The evidence is there! BCG & MIT Sloan Management Review 2013: 2600 business leaders interview globally 37 % improved business performance by sustainability orientation 59 % of companies reached higher profits through new, sustainability focused target groups and value networks 40 % enhanced their corporate brand 29 % created procuct and service innovations 26 % enjoyed of a more positive management image 22 % created new competitive edges 22 % reached higher energy efficiency © Seppo Laine 2013 Source: Talouselämä 17/2013

Principle IX of the Small Business Act: ”The European Union and Member States should enable SMEs to turn environmental challenges into opportunities. They should provide more information, expertise and financial incentives for full exploitation of the ’ opportunities for new ”green” markets and increased energy efficiency, partly through the implementation of environmental management systems in SMEs.” © Seppo Laine 2013

What to do in practice: SBA suggestions The Commission: facilitate SMEs’ access to the Eco-Audit and Management Scheme (EAMS) through lighter environmental procedures, and lower fees (clusters) support financially a new environmental expert team in the EEN The Member states: provide incentives for eco-efficient businesses and products, with simplified application procedures make full use of the €2.5 bn allocated in Cohesion Policy programmes for support of eco-friendly products and processes in SMEs © Seppo Laine 2013

The new grid: criteria for assessing the progress made Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level The ”greening” of the current SME strategies 9.2 Availability of experts to SMEs on environ- mental issues 9.3 Promoting the use of environmental management systems and standards © Seppo Laine 2013

A moment of inspiration; quick look at some Finnish action lines Cleantech Finland - catalyst program Go Green – technology program Cleantech Cluster – regional program Crucial role of the VC investors © Seppo Laine 2013