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This briefing provides an overview of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), detailing compliance requirements for operators and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in meeting these obligations.

This policy brief outlines how integrating a gender perspective into low-carbon and climate-resilient small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries enhances economic sustainability, productivity, and climate impact. Drawing on the Gender Equality in a Low Carbon World (GLOW) program (2021-24), the document demonstrates that addressing gender barriers in sectors like agriculture and aquaculture is a strategic success factor for climate-smart businesses.

This case study examines the adoption of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) by District Watch Group, a Cape Town-based security company, to improve operational resilience and reduce costs. The company has integrated 8 BMW i3 EVs into a 60-vehicle fleet, demonstrating a significant reduction in maintenance and fuel expenses compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

This fact sheet from the Green Economy Coalition describes the challenges and opportunities for transitioning to a green economy in Peru. It highlights a gap between private sector dynamism and slow public sector policy implementation, while identifying specific barriers facing green small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Santa Cruz Declaration on Local Green Enterprises is a 2017 joint statement by the Green Economy Coalition emphasizing the critical role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving the transition to inclusive, green, and resilient economies.

This research paper examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) act as both barriers and enablers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) attempting to enter global value chains (GVCs) coordinated by multinational corporations (MNCs), with a specific focus on South Africa and Kenya as regional economic gateways.

This report details a project aimed at increasing energy efficiency among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Peru. It identifies systemic barriers to energy efficiency, presents findings from a pilot study of 12 SMEs in Lima, and provides recommendations for government and private sector interventions to catalyze energy savings and support Peru's climate goals.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that sustainable development and the transition to a 'green economy' cannot be achieved without explicitly addressing gender equality and social equity, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It highlights how systemic gender-based barriers—ranging from legal discrimination to unequal access to finance—limit the potential of women as workers and entrepreneurs, thereby hindering overall economic and environmental sustainability.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the role of private-to-private finance mechanisms in supporting the transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) toward a green economy, specifically focusing on climate mitigation and adaptation in Europe.

This case study evaluates the potential of using a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) to implement renewable energy solutions, specifically photovoltaic (PV) panels, for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sialkot, Pakistan. The project, supported by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), aimed to address severe energy shortages and high electricity costs in Sialkot's industrial sector.

This report analyzes Energy Savings Insurance (ESI), a financial instrument developed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and BASE to mitigate the risk of underperformance in energy efficiency projects for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in developing countries.

The report details the design and pilot of the Energy Savings Insurance (ESI) instrument, aimed at stimulating energy efficiency investments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by mitigating the risk of underperformance. It focuses on a 2015 pilot in Mexico's agro-industry sector and outlines a replication strategy for Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

This case study describes the impact of the World Resources Institute's (WRI) New Ventures project, highlighting the Brazilian company Ouro Verde as an example of a sustainable enterprise that provides economic value to the Amazon rainforest through the sale of Brazil nut products.

This scoping study, prepared by Enviro Consulting International for FSD Africa, analyzes the supply and demand for green finance targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco. It identifies a significant gap between the ambitious climate targets set in Morocco's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the available financial instruments, which are currently concentrated in the industrial and agricultural sectors and primarily focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The report recommends strengthening the regulatory and tax frameworks, improving SME governance, and designing new instruments such as a credit guarantee facility or a dedicated green equity fund to catalyze the transition to a green economy.

A briefing by the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) outlining policy priorities for ministers to create green and fair economies, focusing on financial inclusion, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the application of natural capital strategies.

Minutes from the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Steering Group meeting on October 12, 2017, detailing updates on European Commission (EC) policy, the development of 'Living principles' for a green economy, preparations for a global meeting in Trinidad, and a new partnership with WWF France.

This policy brief by the Green Economy Coalition argues that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including informal businesses, are essential for a fair and inclusive green economic transition. It highlights the significant economic contribution of SMEs in emerging economies and outlines eleven specific areas where policy support is lacking, ranging from financing gaps and legal recognition to the need for better visibility in national policy development.

The Green Economy Climate Finance Database 2022, developed by GreenCape with support from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), identifies over 150 finance opportunities across approximately 125 stakeholders to address information asymmetry in South Africa's green economy.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the impact of fossil-fuel subsidy reforms on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. It argues that while SMEs are generally less energy-intensive than large enterprises, they are more vulnerable to price shocks due to lower coping capacities and a heavy reliance on low-income consumers who are most affected by fuel-driven inflation.

This research paper analyzes the policy landscape for clean energy transition in India's micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector between 2010 and 2020, evaluating the effectiveness of central and state-level schemes in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.