The Climate-Proofing SMEs campaign, launched by the COP29 Climate High-Level Champion, is driving ambitious climate action among small and medium-sized enterprises. Building on this momentum, CCE is contributing insights from its academic network to an SME Climate Hub Event at COP30.
Hosted by COP29 Climate High-Level Champion Nigar Arpadarai, the event will take place on 15 November (13:00–14:30, Blue Zone). It will bring together businesses, investors, and government leaders to showcase the campaign’s progress, highlight the vital role of SMEs in building a low-carbon, resilient economy, and outline plans to scale up efforts under the new Action Agenda framework.
Last year, the IUCA and CCE published a report collating academic insights from around the world, providing a robust evidence base for effective SME climate action strategies. This year for COP30, CCE will write a new report to show responses to the following questions:
- How can governments best support SMEs to address their emissions and climate risk exposure?
- What climate mitigation and adaptation solutions are proving cost effective or ineffective for SMEs?
As part of the campaign, we have signed an open letter to governments asking for worldwide policy that supports SME climate action at the local, regional and global level.
The letter, which launches today at #COP30, includes four key policy priorities:
➡️Recognise SMEs as a distinct group that is critical to climate action
➡️Contribute to and promote the business case for SME climate action
➡️Promote a streamlined pathway and centralised guidance for SME climate action and adaptation
➡️Mobilise accessible green finance for SMEs
“SMEs play a critical part in the global economy and carbon system but are often overlooked in the world of climate action. Yet academics are studying this issue, and its solutions, across the globe. By calling on and working with them to gather evidence, identify gaps, and deploy networks, we can transform SMEs into powerful climate actors.”
Dr Eldrid Herrington, Head of Academic Engagement at CCE
Key facts
- At COP29 in Baku, the Climate-Proofing SME campaign delivered significant progress, with over 40 collaborators reaching almost 90,000 SMEs in over 100 countries.
- With world leaders agreeing a new climate finance goal in Baku, COP29 and COP30 now working on the Baku to Belem Roadmap to 1.3trn, and the first ever Global SME Ministerial Conference on the sidelines of G20 this year, 2025 is a unique opportunity to direct finance to where it is needed the most.
- SMEs play a major economic role. They account for about 90% of all businesses, around 70% of employment worldwide, and contributing for at least 50% of the emissions from the business sector. (WEF)
- The net-zero transition is not possible without SMEs. They are key to achieving a resilient, net zero economy. They are the engine of today’s economy and the backbone of global supply chains. Small businesses will play a vital role in a just transition that delivers equitable human and economic development.
In summer 2025, CCE Intern Maureen Abel worked on this project. Read her Q&A to find out more: https://climatehughes.org/qa-with-maureen-abel-academic-engagement-intern-2025-on-climate-proofing-smes/
Slingshot