Fostering convergence in SME sustainability reporting

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in driving sustainable economic growth. Representing over 90% of businesses globally, SMEs collectively have a significant impact on resource use, emissions, and supply chains. According to recent OECD estimates, SMEs account for about 40% of business sector GHG emissions in EU countries, and about 50% globally according to the International Trade Centre (ITC) (OECD, 2023[1]; ITC, 2021[2]). Furthermore, their agility and innovative potential make them essential players in advancing green transitions. Effective sustainability reporting enables SMEs to measure, communicate, and enhance their contributions to environmental and social goals, while also building trust with stakeholders and accessing new opportunities in an increasingly sustainability-driven market. This new OECD paper provides an overview of selected existing and emerging reporting standards and frameworks for SME sustainability reporting, as well as available sustainability-related measurement tools that may help SMEs comply with these reporting demands. Its objective is to identify an initial set of core sustainability reporting indicators and metrics that could meet the operational and reporting needs of financial institutions, while taking account of SMEs’ limited resources and capacities.

OECD (2025), “Fostering convergence in SME sustainability reporting”, OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Papers, No. 66, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/ffbf16fb-en.