UK construction SMEs are strengthening their commitment to sustainability despite wider uncertainty, with many embedding greener practices into their business strategies. New research from Novuna Business Finance highlights how small firms are balancing environmental responsibility with growth, efficiency and resilience.
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 that this year they are also committed 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 small construction 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:
• Thirty-eight percent prioritised improving policies and facilities towards packaging and waste – and recycling for products and services;
• Thirty-seven percent of construction businesses placed greater importance on their business having a positive social impact in their immediate community;
• Seventeen percent said they were investing in local suppliers or contractors and 13% were committed to creating jobs locally.
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 Cas, a 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 said: “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 a real difference to our carbon footprint as a business.”
Tony Sheppard, Director of En Tout Cas said: “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 said: “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 to reuse 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, said: “At Novuna Business Finance, our aim is to listen and find helpful and workable solutions to support small businesses to turn 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.”
