The organization was built on the recognition of a significant gap in the sustainability landscape. While larger companies often had access to resources, frameworks, and expert advice to meet environmental goals, the smallest businesses were being left behind.
‘Over the past decade, I’ve observed a clear gap where the UK’s smallest businesses have been consistently underserved, particularly when it comes to sustainability support’ - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
These firms were often lacking in time, money or expertise to engage with sustainability in a meaningful way. LilMa Green set out with the purpose to break down the barriers - including cost, complexity and resources - to help microbusinesses take their first green steps, with the guidance in BSI Flex 3030 being a key influence in its development.
Following three years of research, in October 2024, LilMa Green launched its digital sustainability platform specifically designed for microbusinesses.
The digital platform offers:
Carbon, climate and community dashboards and rating systems – a simplified ESG framework.
A gamified dashboard with daily, monthly and annual sustainability tasks.
AI support in the form of an in-platform sustainability assistant called ‘Sprig’ - an in-house resource tailored to each user. It provides guidance that smaller firms typically wouldn’t have access to on their own.
Multiple-choice questionnaires that translate complex requirements into plain English.
Tools for estimating carbon footprints, emissions reporting, and generating policy templates and many other features.
Their approach is rooted in accessibility; the platform is designed to simplify sustainability, and users can receive an initial ESG and Carbon rating in under 10 minutes. This user-friendly, modular approach aims to help businesses form sustainable habits and track their progress - no matter how small the initial step.
‘The platform’s use of straightforward, jargon-free language was shaped by feedback from businesses…traditional ESG terminology didn’t resonate with their day-to-day operations. That’s why we reframed it using our own pillars: Carbon, Climate, and Community’ - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
LilMa Green sees its tools as a stepping stone, designed to take microbusinesses from inaction to meaningful progress, and ultimately towards deeper sustainability analysis. The platform supports users as they grow, helping them build capability over time.
The organization describes the BSI Flex 3030 as ‘significant’ in shaping their offering. Central to their design was its use as a benchmark to provide a clear, credible baseline from which they could adapt key principles for the microbusiness community.
‘We used BSI Flex 3030 as a benchmark, which gave us a solid foundation to build from. It also enabled us to introduce recognised industry standards to smaller firms’ - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
Using BSI Flex 3030 to build confidence
To support businesses at different stages of their sustainability journey, LilMa Green offers a phased approach to engagement through a two-tiered rating system.
In Tier 1, clients begin with simpler questionnaires and everyday actions to build comfort and familiarity. Once ready, they progress to Tier 2 and are invited to complete the ‘Flex 3030 questionnaire’ developed using the principles in BSI Flex 3030.
Aligned with the eight key areas of BSI Flex 3030, the ’Flex 3030 questionnaire’ uses simple explanations and multiple-choice questions. Based on responses, firms receive a sustainability rating, giving them a tangible sense of where they stand and where they can improve.
The Flex-aligned questionnaire also lays the groundwork for future reporting and benchmarking. For businesses that outgrow the entry-level tools, it provides a natural pathway toward more formal sustainability frameworks and data readiness for supply chain and finance partners.
By engaging with LilMa Green, microbusinesses are becoming more confident, more knowledgeable, and are taking meaningful steps toward sustainability. Many start building habits with simple daily tasks like switching off unused equipment or tracking energy usage.
‘We’re watching firms take their first green steps when they wouldn't have done - the end outcome will be reducing net zero emissions by engaging the UK’s 1.17 million micro firms’ - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
Firms are given access to a personalised dashboard, Toolkits, rating, and visual badges to showcase their progress. As they advance, they move on to measuring emissions and developing environmental policies using the platform’s growing toolkit.
'They’re actually going green…the feedback is that it’s not as hard or expensive as they thought.' - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
LilMa Green’s clients report improved reputation and greater readiness to compete in supply chains where sustainability credentials are increasingly expected. The organization sees this as a form of future-proofing.
‘Those who cannot provide sustainability data risk losing business and missing opportunities. At LilMa Green, we believe we are future-proofing firms by addressing the current gap in the carbon supply chain’ - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
To support clients to track their environmental impact, while keeping costs accessible, businesses are required to provide primary source evidence (e.g. utility bills). While data is currently self-reported, LilMa Green hopes to introduce further verification in the future.
‘It's really important for us to get firms on board and if that means evidence-based self-reporting right now, that's OK, because it's better than inaction.’ - Mags Arrow, Founder & CEO
BSI Flex 3030 Net zero transition plans for small and medium enterprises. Code of practice can be used by any size or type of organization, profit or non-profit, but it is designed primarily for use by those with fewer than 250 employees.
This standard can help you get to grips with your net zero transition by providing a clear and simple code of practice. In other words, it outlines the right way to do things, as agreed by a consensus of experts in the field.
It gives practical step-by-step guidance, arranged so that you can follow a logical sequence of actions to develop, implement and maintain your transition plans. And it’ll help whether you’re working on an internal plan, or responding to external requirements, from a potential new client, for example.
Plus, there is now also a short introductory guide and checklist to BSI Flex 3030. This simple tool might be useful in fully understanding the aims and principles behind the Flex and translating those into practical action.
Download your copy for free here.
If you have any questions about BSI Flex 3030 or other thoughts about your own net zero transition, please visit the Sustainability Standards Hub, or email us on sustainabilitystandards@bsigroup.com.
Elevate your sustainability journey and drive positive environmental impact by sponsoring the development of a fast-track standard tailored to your industry's needs. A fast-track standard establishes best practices for products, services, and processes. To find out more download our brochure here or contact us.