|
More than a quarter (26 per cent) of all UK businesses, and 43 per cent of large businesses, have been affected by climate change. Almost the same number (27 per cent) of UK businesses now see climate change as a business opportunity, with that number rising to 60% for FTSEs, according to a new Carbon Trust report examining the attitudes of UK business leaders towards CO2 emissions.
However, when it comes to measuring their business’ carbon impact, only one per cent of all UK businesses know their carbon footprint - a critical step in taking action to reduce CO2 emissions and making the most of the business opportunities presented by climate change. This number rises dramatically to 46% for FTSE companies.
According to FTSE business leaders surveyed, the chance to re-think products and services topped the table as the biggest opportunity (22 per cent). However, large non-FTSE businesses were more likely to see climate change as creating an opportunity to reduce costs rather than to generate new business.
Tom Delay, CEO of the Carbon Trust, commented:
“Our research shows that UK companies are more aware than ever of the realities of climate change and how it can directly impact on their business. The extreme weather conditions of this summer certainly played a part in this, however our study showed that the last two years have seen a significant acceleration in the number of business policies and plans put in place to cut CO2 emissions. This is very encouraging, and shows UK business is on the move on climate change. Larger businesses in particular are beginning to understand the opportunities climate change presents and are working out how best to exploit them.
“However, the picture is mixed as businesses are still yet to move in some key areas. Only one per cent of businesses surveyed knew their carbon footprint. This is one of the key first steps for any business wanting to act on climate change. By measuring and assessing a business’ impact through undertaking a carbon footprinting exercise a company can better understand where carbon reductions can be made and cost savings achieved.”
The Carbon Trust has developed a range of tools for UK businesses of all sizes to measure and assess their carbon footprint. Businesses can apply online for a free Carbon Survey*, where an expert consultant will carry out an on-site visit and help measure their carbon footprint and identify ways to reduce it. The methodology is intended for use by organisations seeking a basic understanding of their carbon footprint.
An online business carbon footprint calculator also enables businesses to quickly quantify their key carbon impacts and understand where action might be required to reduce emissions. It introduces common footprinting concepts in line with widely accepted reporting approaches such as the Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol . The tool uses a series of screening questions to ascertain likely corporate emissions. Based on these questions the user can enter details of their energy usage and other potential emissions sources, including fuel usage, vehicle usage, electricity bill data and employee travel.
The study published today is a significant piece of telephone research undertaken by FDS on behalf of the Carbon Trust amongst 700 decision makers to take the pulse of UK business leaders around CO2 emissions and their actions to address climate change.
Other key report findings include:
• Larger organisations most likely to be impacted by climate change: 43% of leaders in organisations over 250 employees say they have been affected
• More FTSEs see climate change as an opportunity: three out of five (60 per cent) compared with a quarter (27 per cent) of UK business
• The last two years have been a turning point for implementing policies and plans to cut emissions: 32% of all UK companies have a plan/policy or target in place to cut emissions with large companies and FTSEs are leading the way (73 per cent and 68 per cent respectively). Sixty per cent of plans were introduced in the last two years and 41 per cent of FTSE plans in 2007.
• UK business has more work to do in measuring their emissions: 46 per cent of FTSEs know their carbon footprint compared with 15% of large companies, 12% of medium companies and just 1% of all UK business
• Carbon offsetting not viewed as good method of dealing with emissions by FTSE decision makers: only 11 per cent of senior decision makers agree
• Carbon labelling viewed as an effective communications tool: 43 per cent of all UK senior decision makers have a positive view of carbon labelling and 36 per cent of FTSE and larger companies would consider labelling their products or services to communicate its footprint.
Report into attitudes of UK Business Towards Climate Change
- Ends -
Editor’s Notes
• To view and download the full report please visit www.carbontrust.co.uk
• The research was carried out by FDS on behalf of the Carbon Trust amongst 700 leaders from a representative sample of UK businesses via telephone in September/October 2007. Samples of FTSE, large and medium companies were boosted in order to examine these attitudes separately, however the final data was weighted back to represent the population of all UK businesses.
• For further information or interviews with the Carbon Trust, please contact the Carbon Trust Press Office on T: 020 7544 3100 or E-mail :
The Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is a private company set up by government in response to the threat of climate change, to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy. The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to create practical business-focused solutions through its external work in five complementary areas: insights, solutions, innovations, enterprises and investments. Together these help to explain, deliver, develop, create and finance low carbon enterprise.
The Carbon Trust's annual funding is in excess of £100m in grants from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and Invest NI.
|