MSME Responses on Sustainability and ESG in their Enterprises Survey

Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are becoming increasingly important in the business world, and it is crucial that MSMEs understand its significance. Here are some questions about how you understand sustainability and ESG in terms of your enterprise operations and your views on what support, information, knowledge and tools you may need on this topic

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* 1. Do you know about Sustainability - terms like ESG (Environment, Social and Governance)?

I know a lot about it

I know about it somewhat

I have heard about it but do not know much about it

I have never heard of it

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It is a framework that focusses on three key areas of sustainability management and measurement. The environmental component looks at a business' impact on the natural world and climate change, the social component looks at relationships with employees, customers, and communities, while the governance component looks at factors like how the business is led, decision-making processes and transparency in reporting. ESG considerations are becoming increasingly important across the business ecosystem of suppliers, lenders, customers who want to ensure they are working with socially responsible businesses and that they support sustainable practices.

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* 2. If you have heard about topics like sustainability and ESG, where you have heard about them?

Social Media - Facebook, Instagram, etc

Newspapers, Magazines, Print Media

Local organisations like my Co-Op, MSME group etc

I haven't heard about it

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What is the name of your enterprise?

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* 4. Where is your enterprise primarily based? (City, Country)

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* 5. What is your gender?

Male

Female

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

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* 6. How long has your enterprise been in operation?

Less than a year

1-3 years

4-5 years

6-10 years

11 years or more

Other (please specify)

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* 7. How many people, including yourself, are paid to work in your enterprise?

Only me

Me and up to 5 others

Me and up to 20 others

Me and up to 100 others

More than 100 people

Other (please specify)

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* 8. How much money do you make from sales every month?

Not enough to survive

Just enough to survive but there is nothing left for a rainy day or future investments

A bit more than is needed to survive - I can save and invest back into the business

The business makes a good profit but its not always predictable

The business always makes a good profit

Other (please specify)

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* 9. What type of industry best describes your enterprise?

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Where do you sit in the supply chain?

Primary Producer

Manufacturer

Wholesaler or Distributor

Retailer

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Do you supply your goods or services to large companies?

Yes

I don't know

Comment:

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* 12. Do you use technology to run your business?

I use multiple technologies (ERP, Digital Platforms, Accounting Software, Social Media)

I use some technologies

I only use social media (Instagram, Facebook, other)

I don't use technology at all

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* 13. Do you have any policies in place to ensure that your products or services are ethically sourced?

Yes

I don't know what this means

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False:
ESG practices can help you attract and retain customers: In today's world, consumers are more aware of social and environmental issues, and they prefer to do business with companies that align with their values. Implementing ESG practices can help you attract these customers and build long-term relationships with them.

True

False

I don't know

Other (please specify)

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* 15. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::
ESG practices can help you to mitigate risk: By implementing ESG practices, you can identify and manage risks that could impact your business. For example, if you use unsustainable materials in your products, you could face legal, environmental or reputational risks.

True

False

I don't know

Other (please specify)

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* 16. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::
ESG practices can help you to reduce costs: By implementing environmental and social practices, you can reduce your enterprise's costs over time. For example, reducing energy consumption and waste can lead to lower operational costs.

True

False

I don't know

Other (please specify)

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* 17. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::
ESG practices can help you to access new opportunities: Many investors, financing institutions (eg banks, lenders) and organisations are now looking to work with enterprises that have strong ESG practices. Implementing ESG practices can help you to access new partnerships, funding, and business opportunities that help to grow your business

True

False

I don't know

Other (please specify)

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* 18. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::
It is important that my enterprise has a focus on key social and environmental issues, such as climate change and human rights

True

False

I don't know

Other (please specify)

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* 19. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False:

Many MSMEs remain 'informal', meaning they are not formally registered with government business registration agencies. This means that they these informal businesses have less access to ESG and sustainability information, funding, resources and other support, as compared to formal businesses.

True

False

I don't know

Other (please specify)

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* 20. As an MSME, to what extent do you operate as part of an MSME ecosystem that collaborates on sustainability - for example sharing equipment and/or resources, supporting one another in the community by buying local, sharing responsibilities, assisting with problems, supporting one another to be successful?

Every day I am engaged with my MSME ecosystem - we are always helping one another

We often collaborate with and help one another as needs - maybe every week or so

We know who they are and speak to one another but our business activities are largely independent of anyone else

We don't work with other MSMEs - our business operates on its own

Other (please specify)

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* 21. Would you like to do more on sustainability and ESG in your enterprise?

Yes definitely - its a big focus for me

Yes but I don't know where to start

Maybe - I'm interested but I have some other big priorities right now

Not really - I know its important but I don't have the time or money to focus on this right now

No - this isn't a focus for me at this stage

Other (please specify)

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* 22. Have you been asked about your business' ESG or sustainability practices in the past? Please select all the answers that apply:

Yes - By a government agency

Yes - By a regulator

Yes - By a Bank or another type of Lender

Yes - By a Customer

Yes - By a Supplier

I have never been asked about ESG or Sustainability in relation to my business

Other (please specify)

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* 23. If you were to learn more about how to be sustainable, follow ESG practices, how would you like that information to be received?

Via my mobile through social media

In emails with links to information

Data friendly video links where I can watch tutorials

Other (please specify)

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* 24. How likely are you to commit to adopting ESG practices in the next 6 months?

Very likely

Likely

Somewhat likely

Neither likely nor unlikely

Somewhat unlikely

Unlikely

Very unlikely

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* 25. Do you have any other comments you would like to make about sustainability and ESG?

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* 26. Did this survey get you thinking differently about this topic of sustainability and ESG for your enterprise?

Yes

Other (please specify)

MSME Responses on Sustainability and ESG in their Enterprises

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* 1. Do you know about Sustainability - terms like ESG (Environment, Social and Governance)?

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* 2. If you have heard about topics like sustainability and ESG, where you have heard about them?

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* 3. What is the name of your enterprise?

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* 4. Where is your enterprise primarily based? (City, Country)

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* 5. What is your gender?

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* 6. How long has your enterprise been in operation?

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* 7. How many people, including yourself, are paid to work in your enterprise?

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* 8. How much money do you make from sales every month?

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* 9. What type of industry best describes your enterprise?

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* 10. Where do you sit in the supply chain?

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* 11. Do you supply your goods or services to large companies?

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* 12. Do you use technology to run your business?

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* 13. Do you have any policies in place to ensure that your products or services are ethically sourced?

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* 16. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::ESG practices can help you to reduce costs: By implementing environmental and social practices, you can reduce your enterprise's costs over time. For example, reducing energy consumption and waste can lead to lower operational costs.

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* 18. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::It is important that my enterprise has a focus on key social and environmental issues, such as climate change and human rights

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* 21. Would you like to do more on sustainability and ESG in your enterprise?

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* 22. Have you been asked about your business' ESG or sustainability practices in the past? Please select all the answers that apply:

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* 23. If you were to learn more about how to be sustainable, follow ESG practices, how would you like that information to be received?

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* 24. How likely are you to commit to adopting ESG practices in the next 6 months?

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* 25. Do you have any other comments you would like to make about sustainability and ESG?

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* 26. Did this survey get you thinking differently about this topic of sustainability and ESG for your enterprise?

* 16. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::
ESG practices can help you to reduce costs: By implementing environmental and social practices, you can reduce your enterprise's costs over time. For example, reducing energy consumption and waste can lead to lower operational costs.

* 18. Is this comment in your view mainly True or False::
It is important that my enterprise has a focus on key social and environmental issues, such as climate change and human rights