Xero launches free hub to give small businesses a sustainability edge

Melbourne — 8 October 2025 — Xero, the global small business platform, today launched its new Sustainability Hub, providing small businesses with free practical tools and resources - including a world-first AI-powered insights tool - to power their sustainability efforts.

For Australian and New Zealand small businesses, demonstrating their sustainability credentials is becoming a deciding factor in winning new work and retaining customers. New global research from Bain & Company shows almost one in two companies (49%) are assigning more business to suppliers with superior sustainable operations, while 26% are dropping suppliers who don’t meet their sustainability criteria.

Tamara Somers, GM Sustainability and Impact at Xero, says the new Sustainability Hub has been designed to meet the unique needs of small businesses who are time-poor and largely inexperienced in sustainability operations.

“We know from talking to our small business customers that they want to do the right thing but are often held back by a lack of time, knowledge or funds,” said Somers. “The most common question we hear from small businesses is ‘where do I even begin?’ Most sustainability resources cater to the needs of enterprise businesses, but Xero’s small business Sustainability Hub has been created specifically for small businesses to help eliminate barriers and empower them to build a more resilient and competitive business for the future.”

“There are increasing pressures on small businesses to improve their sustainability efforts - whether in response to government legislation, supply chain pressures, or simply because it’s the right thing to do. We want to help provide business owners with the tools and knowledge to start their sustainability journey because we believe it could be a real opportunity for many.”

Designed with small business experts Small Mighty CSR, the Sustainability Hub provides a suite of curated tools to help owners take action, including:

• A mini materiality assessment tool built in partnership with Sustainable Choice Group to help small businesses quickly identify the environmental and social issues that matter most to their customers and industry.
• A world-first AI-powered search tool, built with the UN Global Compact Network Australia, providing instant, easy-to-understand insights sourced directly from the UN Global Compact’s corporate sustainability knowledge base.
• Real-world video stories from Australian and New Zealand small business owners who share their own practical sustainability journeys.
• Simple guides and jargon-busters that translate complex topics like carbon reporting into clear, actionable steps.

‘Local, seasonal, sustainable’ is the tagline for The Banksia Tree Cafe in Port Adelaide, who provide an example of a small business embracing sustainability. Owner Fabian Folghera said: “To do sustainability 100% may almost be impossible, but instead to make lots of little tiny movements towards sustainability imperfectly was the way forward. … We’re on our path towards making a change in hospitality and that’s our true dream.”

Somers concluded: “Our support for small businesses spans the sustainability journey. The Hub provides that crucial starting point for any business owner, and for those ready to take the next step, our partnership with Sumday gives Xero customers free access to a powerful carbon accounting tool to accurately measure their impact. It’s about providing the right support at the right time.”

Xero's Sustainability Hub is free for all small businesses.

ENDS

Media Contact

Xero Australia | Jess Brophy | +61 431 268 549 | jess.brophy@xero.com

About Xero

Xero is a global small business platform that helps customers supercharge their business by bringing together the most important small business tools, including accounting, payroll and payments — on one platform. Xero’s powerful platform helps customers automate routine tasks, get timely insights, and connects them with their data, their apps, and their accountant or bookkeeper so they can focus on what really matters. Trusted by millions of small businesses and accountants and bookkeepers globally, Xero makes life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. For further information, please visit xero.com.