Brazilian Small Businesses Embrace Socio-Environmental Sustainability Amid Challenges
Survey shows 93% of Brazilian small business owners value sustainability despite challenges; Braskem supports women entrepreneurs adopting eco-friendly practices.
- • 93% of small business owners in Brazil value socio-environmental sustainability.
- • Main obstacles include lack of information (27%) and financial resources (21%).
- • 71% see COP30 as important for their business prospects, especially women entrepreneurs.
- • Braskem supports women entrepreneurs in Bahia with training and visibility for sustainable businesses.
Key details
A recent Sebrae survey reveals a growing commitment to sustainability among Brazil's small business owners, with 93% recognizing the importance of socio-environmental practices such as selective waste collection and recycling. This trend spans the micro-entrepreneur sector, where 41% consider sustainability very important, and the services sector, which shows the highest concern at 94%. Notably, 83% of entrepreneurs believe sustainability efforts should extend beyond large businesses.
Despite this enthusiasm, many small businesses face obstacles, including a lack of information (27%) and insufficient financial resources (21%) to implement ESG practices. The upcoming COP30 climate conference holds significant value for these entrepreneurs, with 71% considering it important, especially among micro-entrepreneurs and women (76%). Sebrae's president, Décio Lima, emphasized the necessity to integrate small businesses into the broader sustainability dialogue ahead of COP30.
Complementing this national outlook, Braskem's initiatives in Bahia underscore how entrepreneurship intertwined with sustainability can succeed. The Empreendedoras Braskem program supports women microentrepreneurs by providing training that turns ideas into sustainable businesses. For example, Gilmária Ferreira expanded her enterprise by producing dolls from fabric scraps, illustrating the practical impact of sustainable practices on income growth. Braskem also celebrates these entrepreneurs through a catalog launched for Entrepreneur Day, promoting visibility and financial autonomy in local communities.
Together, these developments highlight an encouraging movement toward embedding environmental and social responsibility within Brazil's small business sector, despite existing challenges. The anticipation around COP30 reflects hopes for stronger support and market opportunities for sustainable enterprises across the country.