Small businesses are no longer treating sustainability as a side issue, it's becoming central to how they cut costs, win customers and grow. Willow Review: One Year On looks at the progress made since June 2025, the strengthening financial case, and what needs to happen next to turn growing green ambition into action at scale.
This independent, government-backed review explores how small businesses across the UK are already benefiting financially from sustainability, and what’s needed to scale that success.
Led by Co-Chairs Minister Gareth Thomas, Michelle Ovens CBE and Nick Stace OBE, The Willow Review sets out to demonstrate that sustainability is not just an environmental imperative, but a clear commercial opportunity for small businesses.
The Willow Review draws on new survey data, in-depth focus groups and real-world case studies to explore how sustainability is helping small businesses to:
But while the benefits are real, many small firms face challenges around cost, access to finance, and complexity. The report shines a light on these barriers and sets out clear, practical recommendations for government, financial services and SMEs to act now.
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