Public policy and SMEs' adoption of environmental sustainability orientation in Enugu, Nigeria

This study is based on a survey of 20 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Enugu metropolis and the environmental Sustainability practices. The sample was selected through stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered to owner/manager of selected firms, Controllers, Coordinator and Managing Director of Federal and State Government Environmental Agencies in order to elicit their views on the practice of among SMEs. Descriptive statistics were used to present responses whereas data were analysed with one sample t-test using SPSS 15. The major findings show that absence of enabling environmental law in Enugu State to complement Federal Environmental law, multiple taxations and absence of Private-Public Partnership with respect to the provision and maintenance of environment friendly technology by SMEs are constraints to environmental sustainability behaviour adoption among SMEs in Enugu metropolis. The implication is that most SMEs operate below the radar (join the informal sector) which is outside the control of law resulting in heavy unsustainable environmental behaviour. This study strongly recommend immediate enactment of environmental law, harmonization of taxes, levies, fees targeted at SMEs and public-private partnership with regards to the acquisition of environmentally-friendly technologies by SMEs in this early stage of advances toward environmental sustainability.