SME Climate Hub and Global SME Support Community Urge World Leaders at COP30 to Adopt Policies to Unlock Climate Action in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Organizations Representing Over Six Million SMEs Across the Globe Demand Coordinated Policy Action to Incentivize SMEs, Streamline Guidance and Mobilize Green Finance  

 
BELÉM, BRAZIL – November 11, 2025 – Organizations representing and serving over six million Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the globe today launched an urgent Open Letter to Heads of Delegations gathered for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). The letter calls for governments to immediately implement policies and targeted incentives that empower SMEs—the backbone of local economies and global supply chains—to take climate action. 

SMEs, which constitute 90% of global businesses and contribute over 50% of global GDP, are critical to achieving global net zero targets. However, the letter highlights that a persistent lack of supportive government policies remains one of the top barriers preventing these businesses from acting, citing a recent survey where 80% of respondents reported low government support or a lack of awareness of available incentives. 

“The global climate transition cannot succeed if SMEs are left behind, yet current policy landscapes worldwide are failing to equip them for success,” said Pamela Jouven, Director of the SME Climate Hub. “Governments have the power to turn climate risk into business opportunity for these companies. We are calling on Heads of COP30 Delegations to adopt a practical, four-pillar policy framework at national level that will streamline guidance, unlock necessary incentives and green finance, and officially recognize SMEs as the unique, vital actors they are in this global challenge.” 

To foster coordinated global efforts, the letter urges governments to adopt four key policy priorities that will empower SMEs to effectively cut emissions and build resilience: 

1. Ensure policy frameworks enable SME engagement, recognizing SMEs as a distinct group that is critical to climate action. 

2. Contribute to and promote the business case for SME climate action. 

3. Promote a streamlined pathway and centralized guidance for SME climate action and resilience planning. 

4. Mobilize accessible green finance for SMEs. 

Read the full letter at this link: https://smeclimatehub.org/cop30-sme-letter/ 

About the SME Climate Hub 
The SME Climate Hub is a non-profit global initiative that empowers small to medium-sized companies to take climate action and build resilient businesses. Co-founded by the We Mean Business Coalition, the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions’ Race to Zero campaign, the Hub provides free, accessible tools and resources to help SMEs achieve net zero emissions before 2050. 

 
Media Contact: 
Liz Posner 
Senior Manager, Communications, SME Climate Hub 
We Mean Business Coalition 
[email protected]