27% of SMEs say their customers are the biggest influence on their sustainability practices
More than eight in 10 (88%) business owners in the construction sector say that committing to sustainability is personally important to them this year – with 24% of businesses working on plans to embed sustainability into their business culture and plans for the year ahead. A further 25% of small businesses in the sector say they are also committed this year to taking more practical steps to support sustainable business practices on a day-to-day basis.
This new research from Novuna Business Finance comes at a time when some governments and major businesses have softened their commitments to Net Zero, emissions and sustainability. The Novuna Business Finance data suggests UK small businesses are emerging as the business community’s new flag-bearers on maintaining a focus and commitment to sustainability. This coincides with an improved business outlook for the year ahead. Data from Novuna’s Business Barometer tracker revealed that construction small businesses have started 2026 with an upturn in growth forecasts. Just 17% of construction enterprises were predicting growth during the final months of 2025, for the start of 2026 this had risen to 24%.
The new Novuna Business Finance poll of 1,000 small business owners revealed the specific aspects of sustainability that construction businesses rated as more important going into 2026:
- 38% prioritised improving policies and facilities towards packaging and waste – and recycling for products and services;
- 37% of construction businesses placed greater importance on their business having a positive social impact in their immediate community;
- A further 17% said they were investing in local suppliers or contractors and 13% were committed to creating jobs locally.
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Influences Driving Sustainability:
In terms of who has been most influential in encouraging small business owners to take sustainability seriously – the close relationship many construction small businesses have with their customers and staff plays a significant role. Nationally, 27% of respondents mentioned the influence of their customers and 26% cited the influence of staff members. A reminder that business owners are also everyday consumers – 18% of small business owners mentioned their partner and 17% the pester power of their children, in committing their enterprises to sustainability.
The new research coincides with the launch of series 10 of the Sustainable Business Podcast, in which Novuna Business Finance continues to explore real-life stories from small business owners on the relationship between sustainability and business growth. This season is dedicated to the construction sector – and three of the guests featured include Sara Hallman, Managing Director of BuyMetalOnline, Tony Sheppard, Director of En Tout Casa family-owned and run business that has been building tennis courts and sports surfaces for three generations – and Robbins Construction, a company that, for four-decades, has been delivering quality design and build projects throughout London and Essex.
Sara Hallman, Managing Director of BuyMetalOnline comments: “Our customers appreciate that we’re helping them be more sustainable. We’ve focused on reducing waste by selling offcuts directly to consumers rather than letting them go to scrap. It’s practical, it saves resources and reduces waste. Even as supply chains tighten and costs rise, these small, everyday steps are manageable and they make real a difference to our carbon footprint as a business.”
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Tony Sheppard, Director of En Tout Cas comments: “Sustainability in our business isn’t just a buzzword — it’s about smart choices that save money and resources. Using artificial grass instead of resurfacing hard courts reduces CO2 emissions and extends the life of the courts. All small businesses are operating in challenging market conditions at the moment – but by making practical, day-to-day decisions, we can manage costs, improve efficiency, and still make a positive impact on the environment.”
Omer Robbins, Managing Director of Robbins Construction added: “Running a small construction business in London comes with constant pressures — rising material costs, tight timelines, and challenging site conditions. We’ve started looking at sustainability not as an extra task, but as part of how we work better: reusing materials where we can, planning deliveries to reduce fuel use, and making smarter choices that save money on every project. It’s not always easy, but we’ve found that these small, practical steps help us stay efficient, cut costs, and know that we are doing what we can to be a greener thinking business.”
Jo Morris, Head of Insight at Novuna Business Finance adds: “From our podcast interviews and the new research, a strong picture emerges of construction small businesses investing in sustainable practices. Despite the enormous market uncertainty the sector has faced in recent years, many business owners believe sustainability makes business sense and it’s often driven by their customers. Small business owners are typically closer to their customers and see firsthand the value in supporting the communities where they operate or do business. Underpinning clear signs of small business resilience in the sector, there is a commitment to innovate and a willingness to modernise and adapt. Sustainability is important to many small business owners for 2026 – whether this is focusing on green issues, local employment, community investment or boosting their financial resilience.”
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“At Novuna Business Finance, our aim is to listen and find helpful and workable solutions to support small businesses in turning these ideas into practical action. Many want to do more on sustainability but aren’t always sure where to start. Sometimes it’s a lack of financial resources, other times uncertainty about what’s required, and often the landscape can feel complex. That’s why we help break it down into achievable steps, celebrate progress, and give businesses the confidence to act and keep building from there.”
About Novuna
Novuna is a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, one of the UK’s leading financial services companies, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Official Finance Partner for British Athletics and Title Partner of UK Athletics and the Great Britain & Northern Ireland athletics team.
With over 2,300 employees, £8.6bn of net earning assets and over 1.3 million customers we provide innovative finance solutions that helps businesses and individuals find the financial edge that turns ambition into achievement. Our business divisions include Novuna Consumer Finance, Novuna Vehicle Solutions, Novuna Business Finance, Novuna Business Cash Flow and our European division specialising in Vendor Finance.
We are a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., strengthening our relationship with one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial groups, with over 11trn yen (£57bn) of assets.
About Novuna Business Finance
Novuna Business Finance provides business finance to SMEs and bigger corporations across the UK. This includes asset finance, stocking, block discounting and sustainable project finance provided through brokers, vendor organisations, manufacturers and direct to the business community.
With an asset portfolio of more than £1.9bn, the business is active across multiple sectors from transport and agriculture to construction and manufacturing and was awarded Best Leasing and Asset Finance Provider at the 2025 Business Moneyfacts Awards.
The business’s Sustainable Project Finance team is also supporting the development and construction of sustainable energy and transport projects, which are critical to the decarbonisation of the UK’s infrastructure.
Novuna Business Finance is a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, part of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial groups, with over 11 trillion yen (£57bn) of assets.