Sustainable Finance

Abstract

SMEs play a pivotal role in driving the green transition. Increasingly, the provision of sustainability-related data is required to access green finance and participate in global value chains. However, many SMEs face challenges in measuring and reporting on their sustainability performance, stemming from a lack of resources and expertise; difficulties in data collection; and complexity and insufficient interoperability among different sustainability reporting frameworks and standards across jurisdictions.

This guidance note, developed under the OECD Platform on Financing SMEs for Sustainability, seeks to foster convergence in sustainability reporting requests to SMEs. It is addressed to public authorities for the development of frameworks for SME sustainability reporting to financial institutions.

It provides public authorities with options for a set of core sustainability reporting indicators and metrics that can meet the needs of financial institutions and remain manageable for SMEs. It also provides practical guidance for the development and implementation of reporting requests. While the focus of the guidance note is on SME reporting to financial institutions, the core indicators can also be useful in the context of supply chain sustainability reporting. By addressing reporting challenges, it contributes to reducing the administrative burden and unlocking sustainable finance for SMEs.

This report offers strategic and actionable guidance to policymakers in strengthening their access to finance policies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This report emphasizes the need to improve the enabling environment for SME debt and equity financing. It outlines a roadmap of eight key actions to guide policymakers in achieving this. While such reforms are necessary, they are often insufficient to fully address SME financing constraints. Targeted financial programs thus remain essential to bridge the financing gaps effectively. This report outlines seven actions to improve the design and implementation of these interventions to maximize their impact and the effective use of public funding. This report also underscores the importance of a tailored approach to address the distinct challenges faced by specific SME segments, particularly those of women-owned (and led) SMEs, SMEs in agriculture, SMEs in fragile and conflict-affected states, and those seeking financing for climate change adaptation and mitigation.