Environmentally-friendly measures are not a high priority for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a new survey reveals.

The research carried out for business coaches Shirlaws indicates that less than seven per cent of respondents rate reducing their environmental impact as one of their top five concerns.

When narrowed to business owners, partners and decision-makers, the figure falls to 2.8 per cent.

Shirlaws founder Darren Shirlaw comments: "It has to be a concern that this sector of the commercial community is not registering the impact that green issues will have on the future of their businesses.

"It is unthinkable that large corporations, who number SMEs among their suppliers, will not demand that their supply chain contribute to their publicised environmental goals."

Some 62 per cent of respondents put recruiting and retaining staff among their top five priorities, followed by increasing efficiency.

In related small business news, SMEs were recently encouraged to participate in a European Parliament initiative for corporate responsibility.