• High Priority, Low Investment: While 81% of SMEs in sectors like fashion and financial services consider sustainability “very” or “extremely important,” 53% allocate only 1-3% of their operating budgets to sustainable practices.
• Customer Buy-In Varies Globally: SMEs in India and China report higher confidence (51% and 47%, respectively) that customers will pay more for sustainable shipping compared to a global average of 23%.
• DHL Express Support for SMEs: DHL’s GoGreen Plus service enables SMEs to reduce Scope 3 emissions through sustainable aviation fuel, addressing key sustainability challenges

Sustainability as a Business Imperative

A new DHL Express global survey of 5,000 SME decision-makers across 11 markets reveals that sustainability is now a critical priority for small and medium-sized enterprises. Representing sectors from fashion to financial services, SMEs are recognizing the role of sustainability in driving growth, improving customer relationships, and securing long-term investment.

Despite this recognition, over half of SMEs invest only a small fraction of their budgets in sustainable practices, highlighting a gap between intention and readiness.

Related Article: DHL and Shell Partner to Boost Sustainable Air Freight in Europe

Challenges in Driving Adoption

Securing internal and customer buy-in emerged as the top challenge for SMEs, particularly in Germany, where 74% of businesses report this issue. Globally, only 23% of customers are willing to pay more for sustainable shipping, though this rises significantly in India (51%) and China (47%).

Fashion SMEs stand out for their strong commitment, with 81% ranking sustainability as highly important and 78% believing sustainable delivery options enhance brand image.

DHL’s Role in Sustainability

DHL Express is committed to enabling SMEs to achieve their sustainability goals through innovative solutions like the GoGreen Plus service, which utilizes sustainable aviation fuel to cut emissions.

“By partnering with a trusted logistics leader like DHL Express, SMEs can position themselves to remain viable, competitive, and ensure long-term growth,” said Michiel Greeven, Executive Vice President Global Commercial at DHL Express.

DHL’s eBook, Sustainability Matters: DHL Express’ Global Survey on Small Businesses, provides actionable insights for SMEs to navigate sustainability challenges and seize opportunities.

As the logistics industry transforms over the next decade, DHL Express aims to empower SMEs with the tools and strategies needed to excel in sustainable practices while meeting evolving customer expectations.

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