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AI Agents for Sustainable SMEs: A Green ESG Assessment Framework

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  • Viet Trinh
  • Tan Nguyen
  • Minh-Huyen Phan
  • Quan Luu

Abstract

This study presents a novel, AI-driven framework for assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance in European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). An initial phase established expert-validated ESG baseline scores from a subset of the Flash Eurobarometer FL549 survey data. In the second phase, a scalable AI agent system, built on the n8n automation platform, applied these baselines to perform automated ESG classification and generate contextual recommendations using large language models (LLMs). The results demonstrate the AI system's high consistency with human-derived outputs, thereby supporting more effective monitoring and intervention strategies aligned with the European Green Deal.

Suggested Citation

  • Viet Trinh & Tan Nguyen & Minh-Huyen Phan & Quan Luu, 2026. "AI Agents for Sustainable SMEs: A Green ESG Assessment Framework," Papers 2605.00841, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2605.00841
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vasileios Rizos & Arno Behrens & Wytze Van der Gaast & Erwin Hofman & Anastasia Ioannou & Terri Kafyeke & Alexandros Flamos & Roberto Rinaldi & Sotiris Papadelis & Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers & Corrado , 2016. "Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. V. Sanz-Torro & C. Calafat-Marzal & J. M. Guaita-Martinez & L. Marti, 2025. "An integrated approach to resource efficiency, green markets and support measures in SMEs," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-24, December.
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