Nordic SMEs are looking for support to capture business opportunities in the sustainability transition

For the last five years, we have asked our corporate customers how their sustainability transition is progressing and the challenges and opportunities they see in it. When we did the first survey, many of the small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) were at the very beginning of their transition journey. 
When asked they responded that they were mainly driven by increased customer demand, the possibilities for better brand value and the business opportunities that presented themselves along with the transition. Today the same factors apply, but the need to meet value chain expectations has also become a significant driver. 

"It’s encouraging to see how the companies are progressing in their sustainability transition and continue to integrate it into their business models. The increased demands from customers and other partners in the value chain are of course strong drivers, but many also try to seize the business opportunities that arise. The survey tells us that many of our customers are now ready to take further action,” says Nina Arkilahti, Head of Business Banking.

As larger companies are, through the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), expected to disclose supply chain emissions, SMEs are increasingly requested to disclose­ emissions as well. But when it comes to reporting on emissions and creating credible transition plans, many SMEs are unsure how to proceed. More than 60% of respondents state that they are looking for external support to, for example, identify right partners, develop transition plans and make sustainability reporting. These are also areas they find highly important, but where they see themselves progressing the least.     

At Nordea, we have over the years developed an enhanced toolbox that supports businesses in their sustainability transition. Together with our partner Normative, we offer a carbon emission calculator for businesses that can help assess the emissions from the supply chain and we also have financing options like Green loans, Sustainability-linked loans and loans that are financed together with the European Investment Fund to promote more sustainable investments and the green transition in the Finnish and Swedish markets.

"In the survey, we see especially mid-sized companies progressing more consistently across activities and also that more plan to dedicate employee resources to their transition. This is of course not always an option for the smaller companies, and they might have several areas where the support need is bigger. At Nordea, our advisers are trained and have competencies within sustainability and are ready to take up the dialogue with the companies that need it. It’s not an easy task to take your transition to the next level, but we are there to support so everyone can get started, regardless of size,” concludes Nina Arkilahti.