#SustyTalk: How SMEs are forging ahead with sustainability in 2026

The new episode of the edie Extra podcast is streaming now! Tune in as experts from Santander and Baxter Freight set out how SMEs can move beyond barriers to deliver sustainability actions that reap reputational and economic benefits. The UK is home to more than 5.5 million SMEs, accounting for more than half of the nation’s business-related emissions and employing 60% of the workforce. This makes them vital in shaping an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future. But many struggle to see their role and realise their opportunities due to challenges like a lack of expertise or finance. Wendy Whewell, head of sustainable solutions and finance within Santander’s corporate and commercial banking team, is joined by Tom Isler, associate director of innovation and sustainability at Baxter Freight, in this new and exclusive podcast conversation on overcoming these barriers. Your host for this episode is edie's content editor, Sarah George. More information on Santander's work with UK SMEs on sustainability can be found here: https://www.santander.co.uk/content/dam/sites/santander-uk-sustainability/resources/documents/SME%20Research%20one-pager.pdf