The journey to a sustainable future: Why the world needs a sustainable mid-market

Sustainability is quickly becoming a must-have rather than a nice-to-have for the mid-market. Firms are being driven by market competition, client demands and investor pressure, whilst in parallel they are under pressure to meet increasingly stringent regulations and standards. Yet for many firms this is brand new territory, and they don’t have a road map or blueprint to follow.  

The mid-market’s role in the global supply chain means that it forms a vital part of the business ecosystem, connecting and serving organisations and their clients across the globe. As the mid-market becomes more sustainable itself, it will enable larger corporations to comply with supply chain requirements as well as set an example and pave the way for smaller firms: it becomes a lynchpin for the sustainability of the global ecosystem. In order to play its full role, the mid-market will need the right guidance, support and business environment that allows these businesses to thrive.  

In this report, we explore the shape of that journey for the mid-market, what is driving these organisations to take action, what are the main barriers they have to overcome and what areas of sustainability will they focus on next. We set out our five recommendations to both large corporations and mid-market companies in order to provide a smoother path to sustainability.  

Many mid-market firms have begun, but on the journey to a sustainable future, there is still a way to go. To overcome any hesitancy around taking the next step on their sustainability journey, firms need clear advice on what comes next and how to approach it.  

The world needs a sustainable mid-market. It’s vital to economies, societies and the planet. Businesses, governments and other stakeholders must work collaboratively to make sure this vital part of the world economy succeeds.