summary:
In recent years, governments around the world have successively set 2050 net-zero emission targets. In order to actively assist small and medium-sized enterprises to develop or transform into low-carbon and sustainable enterprises, and to plan for green business opportunities in advance, they have proposed various policy tools.
Common tools can be summarized into four aspects: (1) incentive control measures (2) green certification and awards (3) financial incentive support (4) technical support.
Among them, there are many financial inducement support tools, including at least direct subsidies, private equity investment and preferential loans in the EU. For new start-ups that have difficulty obtaining market capital, direct subsidies are more needed to enter the net-zero path; in contrast, for companies that have entered the growth stage, through private equity fund injection or low-carbon project investment, All can encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to improve their competitiveness while providing an environment for enterprise development. In addition, the technical support tools seen from the EU's experience are also quite diverse. The essence of them is to provide cooperation platforms, institutional reforms and experience sharing.
1. EU policy tools for SMEs in response to 2050 net-zero emissions:
The total greenhouse gas emissions of small and medium-sized enterprises around the world cannot be underestimated. As governments of various countries have successively set 2050 net-zero emission targets, in order to actively assist small and medium-sized enterprises to develop or transform into low-carbon and sustainable enterprises and to plan for green business opportunities in advance, various proposals have been put forward. policy tools. The following is a summary of the policy tools and application cases proposed by the EU for small and medium-sized enterprises in its member states for domestic reference.
In order to help small and medium-sized enterprises move towards sustainability, the EU has summarized common policy tools into four aspects:
(1) Regulatory measures, such as simplifying the administrative procedures required for sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises, tax reduction, standardization of sustainability-related intellectual property applications, and encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to carry out environmental management certification to obtain public sector certification. Bonus points for bids.
(2) Green certifications and green prizes (Green certifications and green prizes) means establishing green certification standards or issuing green awards to prove that small and medium-sized enterprises are moving toward or achieving sustainable development, and to help small and medium-sized enterprises improve their competitive advantages in, for example, green trade.
(3) Financial incentive support (Grant incentives) uses subsidies, designated loans, private equity/funds and other investment methods to help small and medium-sized enterprises obtain the funds needed in the green transformation process.
(4) Technical assistance is to cultivate the technologies and knowledge required for the development of sustainable transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises through training or guidance, and at the same time establish a technology exchange platform to accelerate the diffusion of green technology innovation and strengthen the energy of sustainable development. Since there are many incentive control measures and green certifications and awards have been around for a long time, the following focuses on financial incentive support and technical support to list relevant cases.
2. Introduction to relevant EU cases:
1. Financial incentive support
Based on national resource allocation factors, financial incentive support tools are usually planned at the national level in conjunction with other policy purposes. For example, in order to help small and medium-sized enterprises overcome the difficulties caused by the new crown epidemic and turn the crisis into a turning point, the Greek government applied for the European Union Recovery Plan to establish the Greek Green Fund to include but not limited to green funds. Focusing on the energy industry and circular economy, we will promote the transformation of Greek small and medium-sized enterprises. The fund entrusts Greek HDBI Bank (Hellenic Development Bank of Investment) to inject venture capital (or private equity) funds for investment. HDBI Bank, as one of the shareholders, proposes standards for the fund's investment objects and capital amount.
In contrast, the Irish government has proposed Green Enterprise: Innovation for a Circular Economy. Government-appointed experts and relevant public sector units will complete a two-stage review. Once the review is approved, the product development progress will be reviewed regularly based on subsequent negotiation conditions to allocate the subsequent balance of funds.
The third case is the European Union, which is guaranteed by national banks, such as the Italian CDP Guarantee Program (the Guarantee Program of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti), and the European Investment Bank (European Investment Bank, EIB) injects funds to provide preferential treatment for small and medium-sized enterprises. Loans for sustainable transformation.
2. Technical support
Technical support is to cultivate talents with the technical and knowledge capabilities required for the sustainable transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises through training, and even to plan and construct development plans through expert guidance. However, since the characteristics of each industry are completely different, the simplest way to consider resource factors is to create a cooperation platform where participants can match themselves according to their own needs to solve the problems they face. This concept can be seen in the incubator created by the Brussels Institute for Research and Innovation in Belgium. Compared with other incubators, which are mostly joined by entrepreneurs, one of the features of this case is that it encourages school teachers and students to join. In addition to cultivating the concept of sustainable development among young people through company visits, they can also apply for Science Voucher to subsidize their participation in activities such as science competitions, so as to promote the germination of new sustainable innovation concepts.
Another feature is that the government provides a comprehensive administrative platform that links all public departments related to sustainable transformation-related businesses and provides preliminary business services. For example, regional development units (such as science parks established by the National Science and Technology Council) will announce the application qualifications that small and medium-sized enterprises need to meet or the standard procedures that they should follow if they want to apply to set up factories.
In Denmark, a non-profit organization (Dansk Iværksætter Forening) funded by the Danish Business Administration (Erhvervsstyrelsen) invites entrepreneurs who have successfully completed green or sustainable transformation (called "climate heroes") to share their experiences and Provide suggestions for solutions to problems you may face. In addition, the organization also formed the Danish Entrepreneurs Association, which is authorized by the government to participate in the formulation of policies related to enterprise development, effectively strengthening communication between the public and private sectors.
In addition to assistance at the national level, the EU has also proposed a technical support instrument plan (Technical Support Instrument) under the Multiannual Financial Framework to assist member states or legal entities in completing green and digital transformations. Integrate EU resources and customize a series of "system reform services" for the applicant's purpose, such as improving the business capabilities and efficiency of public administration departments, financial management, tax management, developing the digital economy, achieving reduction or developing green energy , attract foreign direct investment, reform the education system, improve financing opportunities, and improve the efficiency of non-performing loan disposal.
Reference and summary:
Through case studies, it can be found that there are many financial incentive support tools, including at least direct subsidies, private equity investments, preferential loans and other types in the EU. Considering that China still has great development potential in sustainable or low-carbon industries, at this stage, for new start-ups that have difficulty in obtaining market funds, direct subsidies are more needed to enter the net-zero path; when the future industry enters the growth stage Finally, it is suggested that the government can provide an environment for enterprise development through private equity fund injection or low-carbon project investment, and at the same time encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to improve their competitiveness.
In addition, the types of technical support tools seen from the EU's experience are also quite diverse. The essence of them is to provide cooperation platforms, institutional reforms and experience sharing. Taking into account factors such as resource factors and national conditions, it should be more efficient to build a cooperation platform. Collecting the implementation history and contributions of my country's policy tools, we can find that my country has long had sound cooperation platforms such as the "International Innovation Accelerator", "Technology Entrepreneurship Amplifier", "Local Enterprise Innovator", etc. However, although the objects of subsidies (donations) include sole proprietorships, partnerships, companies, legal entities and colleges and universities established in accordance with the law, their purposes are mostly industrial development-oriented and do not foster the concept of sustainability (for young people).
In addition, cross-field cooperation may occur with the demand for new innovation or sustainable transformation, such as biofertilizers or organic processed foods. At this time, small and medium-sized enterprises may need to master the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Council of Agriculture. If relevant regulations can be announced on the platform, Standardizing and responding to needs can also increase the willingness of small and medium-sized enterprises to develop new innovations or sustainable transformations.
Source:
1. The combined greenhouse gas emissions of all small and medium-sized enterprises in OCED member countries account for at least about 50% of the total global commercial sector emissions, and energy
Consumption accounts for about 30% ~ 60% of the entire energy sector (Carbon Trust, 2022; ETLA, 2015).
2. Its investment targets include infrastructure, digital transformation, social housing, renewable energy, circular economy and other industrial players. In addition, funds
The amount of investment will be determined based on the funding of the proposal project (eg for a proposal project of ≥ 100 million euros, the maximum investment amount of HDBI shall not exceed the total funding amount).
The proposal amount is 30%; for proposals ≤ 30 million euros, HDBI shall not exceed 70%)
3. Eight major business organizations and related academic institutions have jointly proposed the "Proposal for the Development of Danish Company Law (Forslag til udviklingen af dansk selskabsret)".
Sponsor: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Small, Medium and New Enterprises Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Execution unit: Plastic Industry Technology Development Center
