Social enterprise and environmental sustainability

Many social enterprises are taking positive action in terms of environmental sustainability and climate change. Does the sector provide lessons for SMEs more widely? In this paper, we examine what lessons we can learn from the study of social enterprises and environmental entrepreneurship that can help SMEs and entrepreneurs tackle environmental sustainability issues. We highlight how the market failures at the root of environmental problems may offer entrepreneurial opportunities for creating sustainable businesses. We present an overview of the possibilities for sustainable business models, as well as the generally recognised challenges that come with sustainable organising. We conclude by identifying needs for future research as well as providing policy recommendations to encourage the integration of social and environmental goals in business.