SME competitiveness outlook 2021: empowering the green recovery

The SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 provides a 20-point Green Recovery Plan to help small businesses rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for climate change. It highlights the vulnerability of firms owned by women and young people to future shocks and calls for business support organizations, governments, and international organizations to enable SMEs to strengthen competitiveness, build resilience, and contribute to safeguarding the planet.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 30 August 2021
Publisher: United Nations

The SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 delves into the strategies that small businesses can employ to recover from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, while also positioning themselves to address the imminent threat of climate change. It presents a comprehensive 20-point Green Recovery Plan aimed at fostering the competitiveness, resilience, and environmental sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The report highlights that firms owned by women and young people were particularly hard-hit by the pandemic and are more susceptible to future shocks, including those posed by a changing climate. It underscores the crucial role that business support organizations, governments, lead firms in value chains, and international organizations play in empowering SMEs to enhance their competitiveness, build resilience to climate-related hazards, and make meaningful contributions to the global effort to safeguard the planet.

The SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 offers a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes the need for these businesses to rebuild and strengthen their resilience in order to face the looming crisis of climate change. The report identifies a 20-point Green Recovery Plan as a key strategy for fostering competitive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

One of the key findings of the report is that firms owned by women and young people were particularly hard-hit by the pandemic and are more vulnerable to future shocks, including those related to climate change. The report suggests that business support organizations, governments, lead firms in value chains, and international organizations can play a crucial role in enabling SMEs to strengthen their competitiveness, build resilience to climate hazards, and contribute to safeguarding the planet.

The Green Recovery Plan outlined in the report encompasses a wide range of measures and initiatives. These include promoting sustainable business practices, investing in green technologies and infrastructure, enhancing access to finance and resources, and providing training and support to SMEs in climate-related risk management. The report also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnerships between different stakeholders, including businesses, governments, and international organizations, in order to achieve sustainable development goals.

In conclusion, the SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 provides valuable insights and recommendations for small businesses seeking to recover from the pandemic and position themselves for a sustainable future. The 20-point Green Recovery Plan offers a comprehensive framework for fostering competitiveness, resilience, and environmental sustainability, while also recognizing the unique challenges faced by firms owned by women and young people. By implementing these measures and collaborating with other stakeholders, SMEs can play a vital role in addressing the global challenges of climate change and promoting sustainable development.

Dimension: 300 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789211036817