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At the end of a unique gathering of business leaders today, more than 1,000 companies pledged to take action on climate change. Each made an average of five firm commitments to take action to reduce their carbon emissions.
The companies pledged to work with employees, suppliers and customers to help them reduce their carbon impact, a move expected to have significant cascading effects amongst the wider business community.
The top pledges made by businesses were:
- To identify a board-level representative to champion carbon reduction activities
- To work collaboratively with suppliers to minimise emissions along their supply chains
- To develop firm carbon reduction plans with targets to minimise the impact of their emissions
The May Day Summit marked the beginning of a nationwide movement of businesses committed to leading the UK towards a low-carbon economy.
The Summit brought together Chief Executives, board level Directors and senior managers in a unique network of 10 simultaneously linked events throughout England, centred on a national hub event at St. James’s Palace. HRH The Prince of Wales, as President of Business in the Community, hosted the first May Day Business Summit on Climate Change.
Companies will be supported with a range of follow-up activity provided by Business in the Community and the Carbon Trust. Progress on the pledges, cases studies, sources of advice and other information are available via the website - www.maydaycompany.org.uk.
BT provided the technology to link the 10 events. The Summit was sponsored nationally by Alliance-Boots, Barclays, B&Q, DLA Piper, EDF Energy and Sky. Regional events were supported by England’s Regional Development Agencies alongside a number of Business in the Community’s member companies.
Julia Cleverdon, Chief Executive of Business in the Community, commented:
“These pledges are a fantastic outcome from a fantastic day. It shows that business is taking the issue of climate change seriously and is willing to take real and ambitious action to deal with this global crisis. “
Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, said:
“Today’s event proves that businesses in the UK are serious about reducing their carbon emissions as part of the fight against climate change. We will be offering support to these companies over the next 12 months to help turn their pledges of action into a reality and maintain the momentum on this exciting initiative.”
Jonathon Porritt, Chairman, UK Sustainable Development Commission and Founder Director of Forum for the Future, commented:
"The Government should take heart from what's been happening today. Given the right information and the right sort of lead, companies big and small have shown themselves to be willing and able to get stuck in on reducing their carbon footprint. All we need now is for Government to follow suit in reducing its own emissions of CO2 in line with its targets!”
Regional results
London
Pledges made: 622
Contact:
Vicky Gashe
Phone: 020 7566 8750
Mobile: 07843 350077
Email: Vicky.gashe@bitc.org.uk
South East
Pledges made: 588
Contact:
Vicky Gashe
Phone: 020 7566 8750
Mobile: 07843 350077
Email: Vicky.gashe@bitc.org.uk
North East
Pledges made: 456
Contact:
James Hopkins
Phone: 0191 4877799
Mobile: 0191 4877799
Email: james.hopkins@bitc.org.uk
East Midlands
Pledges made: 458
Contact:
Beverley Toone
Phone: 0115 924 7415
Mobile: 07739217926
Email: beverley.toone@bitc.org.uk
North West
Pledges made: 531
Contact:
Amanda James
Phone: 0161 233 7770
Mobile: 07793 444 181
Email: amanda.james@bitc.org.uk
East of England
Pledges made: 499
Contact:
Helen Haynes (Positive Media Consultancy Ltd)
Tel: 01733 244557
Mobile: 07986 398026
Email: helen@positivemedia.org.uk
Yorkshire & Humber
Pledges made: 673
Contact:
Sheila Roundhill
Phone: 0113 205 8236
Email: sheila.roundhill@bitc.org.uk
South West
Pledges made: 581
Contact:
Pip Trentham
Phone: 0117 972 2111
Email: pip.trentham@bitc.org.uk
West Midlands
Pledges made: 501
Contact:
Katie Lowe
Phone: 0121 451 2227
Mobile: 07901 770007
Email: klowe@bitc.org.uk
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