Sustainability isn’t just about cutting carbon emissions—it’s about rethinking the way business is done. For many small businesses, it’s no longer just about reducing emissions; it’s about tackling waste, streamlining processes, and embedding sustainability into their core operations.
Novuna Business Finance’s latest report, Beyond Net Zero: A Broader Sustainability Agenda for Small Businesses, explores how three small businesses—spanning food production, manufacturing, and IT—are embracing sustainability in unique and impactful ways.
From rethinking waste and adopting regenerative practices to leveraging technology for efficiency, these businesses demonstrate that meeting carbon emission targets goes hand in hand with broader sustainability initiatives. By embedding environmental and social responsibility into their business models, they are not only driving positive change within their industries but also setting new standards for sustainable growth and innovation.
The report is released alongside new research from Novuna Business Finance, which shows that 88% of small businesses see sustainability as more important now than a year ago. While reducing energy use remained a priority, small businesses are also focusing on broader sustainability goals. Many are reviewing water and energy consumption, heating systems, and opportunities for renewable energy, alongside other key areas.
Key priorities for 2025 include switching to greener transport (29%); investing in sustainable equipment and infrastructure (18%); improving working conditions for employees (27%); creating local jobs (32%); and supporting local suppliers and communities (27%).
The small business owner stories featured in the report—and available in full via The Sustainable Business Podcast—are:
- Sustainable through innovation: Philippine Mignot, Director of Tierra Viva, explains how her family business is redefining the local olive oil tradition by transforming its economic model and transitioning to regenerative farming.
- Sewing a new future: Pinky Laing, founder of The Remnant Revolution explains how you can run a successful and sustainable business using discarded luxury textiles and turning them into unique homeware pieces.
- Creating sustainable success by investing in talent development and retention: Mark Robertshaw, Director at Oxford Information Labs talks about how their approach to investing in people is core to their sustainability as a business – in terms of how the business supports its people, creates opportunities for leadership, and ensures financial resilience in an unpredictable market.
Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance, commented: “I’d like to thank Tierra Viva, The Remnant Revolution, and Oxford Information Labs for sharing their journeys with us.
“Their experiences demonstrate that sustainability is not just an ambition but a fundamental part of how they operate—driving innovation, resilience, and meaningful change within their industries.
“What stands out is that sustainability is most effective when it is embedded into a business’s strategy rather than treated as an add-on. These businesses are rethinking waste, challenging conventional practices, and proving that responsible business can go hand in hand with commercial success. Their stories highlight the creativity and determination that small businesses bring to the challenge of building a more sustainable future.
“At Novuna Business Finance, we believe these insights matter. Small businesses are at the forefront of this shift, often finding practical, resourceful ways to make sustainability work. By sharing their experiences, we hope to inspire others and support more businesses on this journey—through research, funding, and shining a light on their businesses story via the podcast.”
