Bringing Practical Sustainability Solutions to Australian SMEs
The "Measuring What Matters" framework, designed to track Australia’s wellbeing and prosperity, currently leaves a gap for small businesses, as journalist Imogen Wilson (tag her here) stated, especially when it comes to actionable guidance on sustainability, climate risk, and practical ESG implementation.
The gaps highlighted by the Accountants Daily article, from measurement challenges to climate resilience and inclusivity, are exactly the issues our platform, FuturePlus, is designed to address. By helping SMEs implement practical sustainability strategies, we want to support businesses in building long-term resilience and meeting their sustainability goals.
At FuturePlus, we have seen this challenge firsthand in the UK and further afield. Small and medium-sized enterprises often have ambitions for sustainable growth but lack the tools, insights, and frameworks to turn these ambitions into results. Too often, SMEs are expected to meet complex sustainability goals without practical support, leaving them struggling to track progress or demonstrate impact.
This insight shaped the creation of the FuturePlus platform. Our solution is designed to empower SMEs to:
- Set realistic sustainability goals that fit with broader wellbeing or ESG frameworks
- Measure and track progress.
- Use insight to make decisions, and balance growth and positive impact.
- Build resilience to environmental and regulatory risks.
A great example of our impact is a company we have worked with since 2022, which wanted to move beyond ad-hoc sustainability efforts and create a clear strategy that aligns with international standards. Through the FuturePlus framework, the organisation assessed its impact and ambitions across five key themes, Climate, Environment, Economic, Diversity & Inclusion, and Social, setting a structured foundation for ongoing improvement.
By May 2023, the organisation became FuturePlus Impact Certified, demonstrating a clear roadmap for progress over the next three years. Using the FuturePlus platform, the organisation can now:
- Identify and prioritise important sustainability challenges
- Set ambitious, time-bound goals
- Track both current and future performance in real time, and
- Align its efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since implementing the framework, the organisation has achieved measurable impact:
- A 54% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to its 2019 baseline
- Transition to 100% renewable electricity since 202
- Major waste reductions through mixed recycling and partnerships with Veolia
- Elimination of most single-use plastics
- Strong employee wellbeing and inclusion initiatives, earning Great Place to Work certification for two consecutive years
By embedding sustainability into its governance structure and daily operations, the organisation demonstrates how the right framework can help any business, large or small, turn sustainability ambitions into results that improve environmental impact and workforce engagement.
The organisation's journey mirrors the challenges faced by Australian SMEs: the need for practical guidance, measurable outcomes, and a structured approach to sustainability. That’s precisely where FuturePluscan help.
We believe sustainability shouldn’t be a barrier for smaller businesses but it should be an opportunity. Our platform turns complex sustainability requirements into actionable strategies, making it easier for SMEs to thrive while contributing positively to the wider economy and community.
Click here to schedule a call or demo with us to discover how we can support your business.
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