Climate change is a significant challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Pacific Islands where isolation, limited knowledge of business resilience and supply chain disruptions affect their ability to improve their climate resilience.

Some of the climate challenges reported by SMEs supported by BLP are:

• Lack of knowledge about climate change and the technical aspects of adaptation, mitigation, green innovation and access to finance that are key for increased climate resilience.
• Poor access to climate change assessment tools and services that can aid in optimising business models and supply chains.
• Lack of support and information to access available green finance and governmental support.

How BLP are helping to build climate resilience.

BLP works closely with private sector organisations, business advisors, and financial institutions to improve SMEs’ climate resilience, encourage investment in adaptation and mitigation, and enable green innovation. This collaborative approach is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

• The BLP Advisory Network of approved advisors gives SMEs the assurance of quality advisory support. Together with our Pacific partners, we connect SMEs to approved Climate Advisors. The number of Climate Advisors in the BLP Advisory Network growing all the time.
• BLP Subsidies are available to make advisory services more affordable.
• Climate Advisors help SMEs build a solid climate resilience plan. The plan can include accessing BLP Grants and/or help them apply for green finance loans to fund green innovation and improve climate resilience. BLP Grants are available to qualifying SMEs to fund small climate projects like solar panels, small structural improvements, or sea walls.
• The BLP Climate Action Sensor is an easy-to-do first step to help SMEs. It’s a free BLP online questionnaire that helps business owners self-assess their businesses, supply chains, products, and services.

It quickly identifies areas for improvement and provides a clear action plan to increase climate resilience. It’s a practical tool for business owners who want to streamline climate action within their business models.

The BLP Climate Action Sensor has four climate areas:

• Mitigation: Identifies and reduces the business’s impact on the environment and streamlines processes to minimise waste and resource consumption.
• Adaptation: Evaluates the vulnerability of geographic areas to protect premises against severe weather.
• Resilience: Identifies alternatives for business activities and essential supplies.
• Green Innovation: Explores opportunities to develop climate-resilient products and services.

Find out more with this ‘How-To’ video: How to use BLP Climate Action Sensor tool for small and medium-sized businesses – YouTube

Or access the Climate Action Sensor tool directly through the BLP Portal.

BLP facilitates access to business advisory services and financial support. To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.

The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.