Increasing population and industrial revolution are the two major factors that have substantially contributed to climate change or global warming. As a result of an unprecedented economic integration between countries industrial and economic growth has taken place at very fast pace as never before in almost all developing and transition countries in past 50 years. During this growth process, environmental aspect was completely ignored. The consequences of ignoring such an integral part of life on earth was so alarming that it became a global issue which we are now well aware of.
Such a global issue needs global solutions. The global thought leaders could foresee the danger to the life on earth and they found the solution through green growth. As an outcome of UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in 1992, green growth or sustainable development has been the primary goal of the international community. The conference called upon national governments to develop national strategies in line with Rio Declaration.
In this line, green business practice by SME becomes all the more important and inevitable now. Green Business contributes to human well-being and social equity as well as reduces environmental risks. The idea of a green enterprise has become a key component of mainstream economic & enterprise discourse. The global economy is in a transition to a more efficient and equitable entity, where better use of natural resources to achieve sustainable growth is the focus. Also, it is to be noted that economic development today must ensure that future generations are left no worse off than current generations.
Promotion of green enterprises is pivotal for achieving economic and social development that is environmentally sustainable. Increasingly, countries are developing policies and implementing strategies to reduce emissions, develop more efficient energy scenarios and encourage green enterprises that have far reaching consequences for employment generation and overall wellbeing.
It is a known fact that majority of SMEs use obsolete technologies because of their inability or having inadequate finance to go for new technologies. As per the statistics, SMEs are the major source of environmental pollution (70%). This is a very alarming figure and, hence, necessitates that SMEs should be made aware of this fact. They must care for the environment and adopt green business practices. Wellbeing of the environment should well be taken into consideration by SMEs while developing their business strategy.
Recognizing the significance of green business, ISSME creates awareness among SMEs about their responsibilities and encourages them adopt green business practices, coordinates with concerned government departments and national & international agencies in developing policy agenda in line with green growth, undertakes research studies to find out the current status and to make proper assessment of support required, brings out publications and organizes various events, promotes green technologies and resource recycling.