{"id":9335,"date":"2025-10-31T11:47:39","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdgnews.com\/?p=9335"},"modified":"2025-10-31T11:49:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:49:12","slug":"iccs-sme-climate-finance-stocktake-calls-for-urgent-action-to-unlock-ai-driven-green-finance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sdgnews.com\/es\/iccs-sme-climate-finance-stocktake-calls-for-urgent-action-to-unlock-ai-driven-green-finance\/","title":{"rendered":"ICC’s SME Climate Finance Stocktake Calls for Urgent Action to Unlock AI-Driven Green Finance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the global economy \u2014 but they remain one of the most underfunded segments in the race to net zero. A new report by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)<\/a> and Sage, released ahead of COP30, warns that without targeted reforms in climate finance, digital innovation, and policy support, SMEs risk being left behind in the green transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A widening gap between ambition and access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cSME Climate Finance Stocktake: Turning Ambition into Action<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u201d surveyed 8,250 SMEs across 17 markets, along with banks, investors, and policymakers. It found that while small businesses increasingly recognize their role in advancing climate goals, most lack the capital to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small group of medium-sized firms \u2014 particularly in manufacturing and transport \u2014 are leading on sustainability investments, yet they represent only a fraction of the broader SME landscape. The report highlights a \u201cclear divide between ambition and action,\u201d<\/em> as many businesses eager to decarbonize remain locked out of financing due to complex reporting requirements, high transaction costs, and inconsistent data frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial institutions respond \u2014 but scale remains limited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Across markets, banks and development finance institutions are expanding lending programs and sustainability-linked products for smaller firms. Blended finance tools \u2014 combining concessional and private capital \u2014 are also gaining traction to lower risk for lenders and investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the ICC and Sage caution that current efforts are \u201cinsufficient to match the scale of SME demand or the urgency of the global climate transition.\u201d<\/em> With SMEs representing over 90% of global businesses and more than 50% of employment worldwide, their inclusion in the sustainable finance ecosystem is essential to achieving the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital tools and AI as accelerators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The SME Climate Finance Stocktake Report underscores the potential of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI)<\/strong> to bridge the financing gap. SMEs using digital sustainability tools are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n