SMEs account for roughly 90% of global businesses and more than half of employment. They play a critical role in economic growth, innovation and job creation. If the goals of the Paris Agreement are to be achieved, it will be crucial that SMEs reduce their carbon emissions.

The Carbon Trust commissioned a survey to better understand UK SMEs' attitudes to energy efficiency and what actions they have taken to reduce energy consumption.

• Are SMEs aware of the impact that climate change will have on their business and is energy efficiency a priority?
• What motivates SMEs to take action?
• What are the barriers and the opportunities?

564 interviews were conducted with micro- (less than 10 people), small- (10 to 49 people) and medium- (50 to 249 people) sized businesses by B2B International. A wide range of sectors including professional services, IT and tech, wholesale and retail, and manufacturing, were covered in the research.

The key findings of the survey focused on the following themes: Action, perceptions, barriers, and impacts of activism.