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World Environment Day 2026 will take place on 5 June in Baku, Azerbaijan. The global event calls for urgent climate action and highlights solutions such as renewable energy, forest expansion and zero‑waste initiatives. Millions across 150+ countries will unite to create a safer, healthier and more sustainable future for people and planet.

The European Commission has released its official simplification review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), confirming a significant reduction in the expected administrative burden for companies. According to the Commission, the simplification measures introduced since the regulation’s adoption have lowered annual compliance costs by approximately 75%, with the majority of savings benefiting micro and small operators. At the same time, the Commission has resisted political pressure to reopen or delay the core elements of the law. The EUDR’s substance remains intact, and the implementation timeline continues to move forward, providing clarity for companies that have already invested in compliance preparation.

Value is never abstract. Businesses are valued based on expected future cash flows and the risk attached to those cash flows. For SMEs, ESG has become one of the most effective levers to influence both sides of that equation. This article looks at ESG through a valuation lens: risk premium, discount rates, multiples and timing. And it answers a very concrete question many SME owners ask: What actually happens to the value of my business if I make it more future‑proof?

Biodiversity: a day dedicated to rainsing awareness about the richness of life of Earth. Read more about this day below!

Sustainability has moved from a “nice‑to‑have” to a business imperative. For medium‑sized and smaller companies that already perform well on traditional KPIs such as revenue, EBITDA and growth, a logical next question arises: if these businesses also invest seriously in ESG (environmental, social and governance), do they actually become more valuable? The short answer is yes. Strong ESG performance is increasingly linked to lower risk, lower costs, better reputation, easier access to financing and ultimately, higher company valuations. Still, for many SME owners, ESG sounds like: extra cost, additional reporting, corporate bureaucracy In practice, however, ESG is becoming one of the most practical and effective tools for strengthening business fundamentals and building long‑term value, especially for privately owned companies.

The EU Green Claims Directive and UK's DMCCA, aggressively combat greenwashing by requiring independent scientific evidence for environmental claims. Companies face severe fines, up to 10% of global turnover in both the UK and EU, for misleading sustainability claims, such as "carbon neutral" based on offsets

The UK government has published the final UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS). This is a major step towards clear, consistent and internationally comparable sustainability reporting. The standards are based on the ISSB norms (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2) and show that sustainability is increasingly becoming part of how companies create value, manage risks and make long‑term strategic decisions.

The energy crisis is back in the news. Gas prices are fluctuating, geopolitical tensions are creating uncertainty, and at the same time we urgently need to reduce our CO₂ emissions. Petrol and diesel prices have reached record highs, and due to the situation in the Middle East, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is warning of the biggest disruption to the global energy market ever recorded. The message is clear: do not wait for emergency measures, but take action yourself. The sooner you prepare, the less vulnerable you become to rising prices and further uncertainty.

On 30 March, we observe the International Day of Zero Waste. A day on which the United Nations calls on everyone to reflect on the enormous amount of waste we produce worldwide – and what we can do about it. In 2026, one theme takes centre stage: food waste. A topic that is not only relevant for governments and large organisations, but just as important for you as an entrepreneur. Food waste affects the planet, the economy, and the long‑term resilience of your business. If you want to take steps towards less waste, more efficiency and a more sustainable way of working, this is the perfect moment to start.

More and more countries are requiring companies to report clearly and honestly on their climate impact. This is not only happening in Europe via CSRD, regulations are also gaining momentum worldwide. One of the most important developments is that China is introducing a new climate reporting standard at the end of 2025. This step has major consequences, including for companies operating outside China.

On 18 March, the world comes together to celebrate Global Recycling Day 2026. This year’s theme is: Dont think waste - think opportunity

In this series, we look at companies that are already making a positive impact today. What are they doing well? What choices are they making? And above all: what can you, as an SME, learn from this and how can you apply it yourself? We kick off the series with a company that inspires millions of children worldwide: LEGO.