Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore are struggling to embark on sustainability initiatives, according to the inaugural 2025 SME Sustainability Barometer by Gprnt and PwC Singapore. The study, supported by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Sustainability Alliance (SA), surveyed over 560 SMEs across 19 sectors. It found that three in four SMEs have yet to start their sustainability journeys, citing financial constraints, lack of skills, and time as major barriers.
The report highlights that over 70% of SMEs have not accessed available government assistance, indicating a gap in awareness and perceived relevance of these schemes. Ravi Menon, Singapore’s Ambassador for Climate Action, emphasised the importance of viewing sustainability as a strategic business move rather than a cost, noting that “environmental sustainability will become an increasingly important driver of competitiveness.”
The Barometer proposes several recommendations to support SMEs, including creating a central case bank to showcase successful sustainability initiatives and encouraging SMEs to appoint a sustainability champion within their organisations. Additionally, it suggests flagship programmes like the Queen Bee initiatives, where larger corporations engage SMEs to build green capabilities.
Lionel Wong, CEO of Gprnt, stated, “When SMEs go green, they lift the networks around them.” The study calls for stronger public-private collaboration to make sustainability viable and valuable for SMEs. Lee Bing Yi from PwC Singapore added that closing the support gap is crucial for SMEs to start and sustain their green journey.
Moving forward, Gprnt, SBF, and SA plan to engage with partners to implement these recommendations, aiming to translate insights into tangible outcomes for SMEs and the broader economy.
