www.gogreen-project.eu This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] and all its contents reflect the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. [Project number: 2020-1-CY01-KA202-065983] 1. Introduction Human activities have been affecting the natural greenhouse over the last decades, so that climate change is considered among the most pressing challenges that global society is facing today, with multiple negative effects on economic development, social progress and environmental sustainability (Hepburn, O’Callaghan, Stern, Stiglitz & Zenghelis, 2020). Actions can and must be taken to reduce those negative impacts in the future. Companies have certainly a critical role to play in this climate change challenge, which renders them across the globe, especially the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (Bradford & Fraser, 2008; Kerr, 2006). They are in position to lead the way towards a healthy and more sustainable future by putting a lot of effort to reduce their GHG emissions and waste production, use energy efficiently and apply more green practices that can actually save money and achieve economic growth (Delmas, Nairn-Birch & Lim, 2015; Hoffman, 2005). Despite the risks that companies face due to climate change implications, there is a growing interest in the opportunities arising by taking climate action. However, companies and particularly SMEs appear to lack the skills or competencies to set appropriate targets and act in the right direction for responding to climate change (Bradford & Fraser, 2008; Kerr, 2006). More training is needed for them to turn green through reducing emissions and waste production, adopting CSR strategies and green policies, fostering innovation and green technology applications, or focusing on their staff training to use energy efficiently (Ockwell & Byrne, 2016). They also need to develop new skills and receive proper guidance that will contribute to setting robust and credible targets in line with the current climate change expectations. Specifically, companies need strong guidance about GHG measurement methods and procedures so as to first measure and then decrease their emissions. Applying energy-saving practices and using relative technology applications that reduce the GHGs produced will provide precious opportunities for cost reduction, with which companies need to be acquainted without any further delay (Bradford & Fraser, 2008; Kerr, 2006). Climate-related penalties or fines and strict legislative frameworks have also been added to the themes that companies need some guidance about. Sustainable practices such as energy, fuel or water efficiency and consumption, along with material reuse or conservation, are only some of the practices that depend greatly on individuals within a company. Thus, companies need guidance about ways to promote appropriate behaviour among their staff and raise the staff awareness on efficient use of energy and waste production regulation that can further contribute to cost reduction. To achieve that, companies need to focus on their individuals at micro-level, so as to consider both personal and corporate sustainability values and align them together. Those values constitute a fundamental aspect for the establishment of a common sustainability-related goal. Accordingly, it is important that a relative strategy is built for increasing the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of companies (Hepburn et al., 2020), oriented both internally and externally, involving the staff and engaging them actively in the process. This can ensure an enhanced corporate green image and more positive reputation, among other CSR benefits in the long-term, which may further contribute to the development of a solid competitive advantage (Bradford & Fraser, 2008; Kerr, 2006). Two more key-themes that companies need guidance and upskilling regard the innovation of new green products and services, along with CSR disclosing and relative information provided to important
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