Two-thirds of SME owners say they are now more environmentally conscious following the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey.
B2B energy suppliers Opus Energy and Haven Power, part of the Drax Group, found that bosses are willing to make bolder decisions as they prepare for a post-lockdown business world. Sixty-six per cent admitted their own leadership requires greater bravery in decision making
More than half (59%) said that although the pandemic has increased the importance of sustainability, the need to stabilise their business is preventing them from taking further strides in achieving sustainability.
Three quarters (75%) of those questioned feel they need to run their businesses differently, with a focus on new ways of working, and almost half (45%) are looking to offer the option of working from home as they seek to provide employees with more flexibility.
Paul Sheffield, managing director of Drax’s customer’s businesses, said: “Dealing with COVID-19 and the climate emergency is the greatest challenge the world has possibly ever faced. Business leaders recognise they need to be braver and more agile in their decision making to manage short-term priorities of stabilising their businesses and protecting employees. But they also realise that as we navigate out of lockdown, it’s more important than ever to make sure sustainability is at the heart of their operations. "
