Smaller firms tend to perceive sustainability to be more important, both personally and to their company, than do larger firms. Actions that address social issues, such as employee well-being and inclusivity, appear to be more important, and more likely to be implemented, than do actions addressing environmental issues. Community reputation is the most frequently cited motivator of progress on sustainability, while increased profits comes in a close second. More effective policies to accelerate sustainability transitions in small businesses must be tailored to the capacity constraints specific to small and medium-sized enterprises and their perceptions of sustainability benefits. In addition, sharing lessons learned from transformative small businesses around the world will assist in this transition.
