Roadmap release to support sustainable small business growth

The Banksia Foundation and Australia Post have released a white paper that will act as a practical roadmap for small business owners to sustain their operations in the current global climate.

“Small and medium businesses are the engine room of the Australia[n] economy, employing close to half of Australia’s workforce and contributing more than $4 billion to the economy,” Banksia Foundation CEO Graz van Egmond said.

“And while an increasing number — now over 40% — of small business owners surveyed consider sustainability to be very important to their future success, resources are limited to help them be more sustainable.

“This white paper aims to help fill this gap and stimulate thought and action in small businesses across Australia.”

Gary Starr, Australia Post Executive General Manager, Business, Government and International, said sustainability for businesses now extends beyond reputation and trust, and is critical to long-term survival, security and competitive advantage.

The Small Business Sustainability in a COVID-19 World report is being released in the lead-up to the announcement of the Banksia Sustainability Awards, described as Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious sustainability awards.

“The small business category, sponsored by Australia Post, is the most hotly contested category at this year’s Banksia Sustainability Awards and we’re looking forward to announcing the finalists on February 11th ahead of the online awards event in late March,” van Egmond said.

She added that the white paper can help small businesses create new business value by doing their part to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global blueprint for regeneration.

“The report provides a 10-step roadmap to help business owners improve their approach to sustainability, such as committing to sustainable packaging, assessing existing practices and adopting a principles-based approach to doing business,” van Egmond explained.

“We have a real opportunity to build a more sustainable and inclusive economy than the one we left behind prior to COVID-19. Now we have a roadmap for small businesses to take this journey and seize new opportunities.”

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