"We are convinced that sustainability remains a factor of competitiveness for SMEs."

In a context where the Confederation is reducing its budgets and where mindsets are evolving rapidly elsewhere in the world, how are Swiss SMEs adapting to this ever-changing reality? What challenges must they meet in the face of growing requirements regarding sustainability and decarbonization?

To answer these questions, the CleantechAlps association, in close collaboration with cantonal economic promotion actors, chambers of commerce and umbrella organizations, recently launched a survey among Swiss companies. We talk about it with its secretary general, Eric Plan. Interview

What are your expectations and objectives with this new study?

The main objective is to better understand the current level of engagement of SMEs in terms of sustainability and decarbonization. At the same time, we seek to identify the main challenges they face in the light of new regulatory and economic requirements.

This survey aims to produce an accurate snapshot and to list the concrete needs of companies in order to adapt and strengthen existing support measures. Ultimately, we hope it will contribute to the development of pragmatic and effective solutions, promoting a sustainable transition without compromising the competitiveness of SMEs.

Is it completely unprecedented or the follow-up to other similar surveys?

This survey is unprecedented, because it aims to precisely measure the level of engagement of SMEs in terms of sustainability. Its objective is to take a concrete snapshot of the economic fabric in spring 2025 and it will serve as a reference to assess its evolution in the years to come.

The international framework is evolving with the arrival of ESG reporting. What challenges does it pose for Swiss SMEs?

ESG reporting (Environmental, Social and Governance) is a regulatory framework that requires companies to report on their sustainability performance. It aims to standardize non-financial information to ensure greater transparency for investors, customers and other stakeholders.

It is certain that international economic tensions and cyclical uncertainties can encourage some companies to refocus their priorities on purely short-term financial considerations.

Although this reporting is not yet a legal obligation for SMEs in Switzerland, it represents a double challenge. On the one hand, proactive companies must integrate these criteria into their management and prove their commitment, an often complex and time-consuming exercise, especially for those with limited resources. On the other hand, subcontractors risk being indirectly impacted by the obligations imposed on their clients and suppliers, who will demand guarantees regarding sustainability to maintain their business relationships.

All this occurs in a context where the European Commission's Omnibus law, published at the end of last February, aims to drastically reduce (-80%) the number of companies subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

In this context of trade war, should we fear a rollback of Swiss SMEs' climate commitments? Is that what you are trying to quantify?

It is certain that international economic tensions and cyclical uncertainties can encourage some companies to refocus their priorities on purely short-term financial considerations. A slowdown in the area of sustainability is therefore likely to be felt. It should be noted in passing that there can be no lasting sustainability without economic added value.

However, we remain convinced that sustainability is a factor of competitiveness and a key strategic lever for many SMEs. It helps strengthen their resilience in the face of recurrent crises that we have been experiencing for several years.

Our survey does not claim, at this stage, to precisely measure the impact of these tensions on companies' decisions regarding sustainability, for lack of a baseline measurement. However, the next campaign will be able to provide concrete insights on the subject.

In a context of reduced federal spending, can SMEs still hope for additional support to achieve their climate goals?

The question of financial support is relevant. On the one hand, the Climate and Innovation Act (LCI) provides for an annual investment of around 200 million francs over six years to support this transition. On the other hand, companies must provide, among other things, decarbonization trajectories as prerequisites to access it.

As a result, one can legitimately expect that this budget will be allocated quite quickly, to the detriment of industrial SMEs who risk arriving too late. 

It's a bit of a vicious circle: it requires means and resources that SMEs do not necessarily have. Conversely, large companies, generally better prepared, already possess these elements and are able to submit their requests quickly. As a result, one can legitimately expect that this budget will be allocated quite quickly, to the detriment of industrial SMEs who risk arriving too late. 

In this context, the federal funds planned will, without doubt, not be sufficient to effectively support their implementation. Like Geneva and the canton of Vaud, some cantons are already helping companies to establish these trajectories, a welcome initiative. The Confederation, for its part, offered a similar program until last year, before ending it, just prior to the entry into force of the LCI.

The current legal framework is ill-suited to this type of situation, because it relies on a sequential and theoretical approach, disconnected from the temporal reality of implementation. Perhaps the cantons will make up for the lack of federal budget by setting up their own programs to co-finance the development and application of these trajectories. That's our sincere hope. 

Our role is also to identify these inconsistencies and the needs of SMEs in order to report them to public actors. The objective: to encourage suitable solutions, whether in the form of financing, support or administrative relief.

Start-ups are not included in your survey. Isn't there also an urgency to understand how current events threaten or not this fragile ecosystem?

It is true that this survey is primarily aimed at industrial SMEs. Nevertheless, all companies, regardless of their size — from start-ups to multinationals — as well as service companies, can participate without difficulty. The form was designed with this in mind.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Foundation The Ark, we are currently developing a specific self-assessment tool for start-ups. This online device, called « KIWI », allows them to carry out a first measurement of their sustainability. Its objective is clear: to raise founders' awareness from the creation of their company and to ensure that sustainable development is integrated from day one into their strategy.

This tool complements the survey and will provide a better understanding of the issues specific to start-ups. All that remains is to secure the additional funding to finalize the commercial version.

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