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Climate strategy & accounting

What is a climate strategy and why is it important for companies?

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Author
Christina Schäferkord
Article from
01.07.2025
Updated on
08.12.2025
Approximate reading time
minutes
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Climate protection is no longer an issue that only affects large corporations. Having a targeted climate strategy is becoming increasingly important for small and medium-sized enterprises in establishing a basis for sustainable success. But what exactly is a climate strategy? And why should SMEs in particular take action now?

What is a climate strategy?

A climate strategy is a comprehensive plan that enables a company to record, evaluate, and systematically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. It identifies effective levers for reducing ecological footprint, such as measures for energy efficiency, the use of renewable energies, and sustainable procurement.

This is not just about environmental protection, but also about economic opportunities: companies that focus on sustainability early on secure competitive advantages, reduce long-term costs, and are better equipped for future legal requirements.

Why is having an effective climate strategy particularly important for SMEs?

SMEs face specific challenges: limited resources, complex supply chains, and often less expertise in the area of sustainability. At the same time, customers, investors, and business partners have growing expectations for greater transparency and climate protection.

A well-thought-out climate strategy helps SMEs because:

  • It provides clarity on the status of their current emissions
  • It identifies specific savings potential and efficiency gains
  • It prepares companies for regulatory requirements
  • It strengthens their market position through evidenced sustainable action
  • It opens up access to funding and investment

First steps toward developing your own climate strategy

The first step in developing a climate strategy is often to calculate your carbon footprint—that is, to quantify your greenhouse gas emissions. This can be done in a simple and practical way and allow you to understand your most important sources of emissions.

A carbon footprint allows company’s to develop concrete measures, such as:

  • Optimization of energy consumption
  • Switches to more climate-friendly materials
  • Promoting sustainable mobility
  • Supply chain integration

To summarize

Climate strategy is not just “nice-to-have” for SMEs, but a crucial building block for future viability and economic success. Now is the right time to act—because those who start early will benefit from competitive advantages, and be well equipped for the challenges of tomorrow.

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