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According to the Carbon Trust, harnessing employees’ enthusiasm to tackle climate change can play a key role in an organisation’s carbon management programme, helping to extend and increase the effectiveness of activity already underway. However, with less than a fifth of employees (18 percent) happy their company is doing enough to cut emissions, there’s more potential to tap into this willing resource.
Tom Delay, Carbon Trust Chief Executive says, “Climate change has never been higher up on employees’ agendas, and as our research shows, most are ready and willing to take up the challenge and work alongside their employers. This is a critical time for businesses to cut carbon, and tapping into enthusiasm from employees can build significantly on a company’s efforts at little extra cost.”
“The benefits to businesses in cutting carbon are clear. Not only does it help an organisation’s bottom line and brand, it also has increasing value among customers, shareholders and now employees. These reputation gains become all the more valuable when you consider that 60 percent of UK employees now say it’s important to work for a company that has an active policy to reduce its carbon emissions.”
The research also revealed a particular opportunity for improvement in larger organisations to ensure employees are both aware and involved in their organisation’s climate change policy and activity. Those in larger organisations are more than twice as likely to be unaware of their business’ approach to reducing carbon emissions than those in small organisations.
Businesses account for 40 percent of the UK’s annual carbon emissions and poor energy efficiency costs businesses an estimated £2 billion. By working with the Carbon Trust, most businesses can save up to 20 percent on their energy bills and get free advice and assistance on how to establish positive energy campaigns in the workplace.
A free employee pack, which offers advice on low or no cost energy saving measures is available at www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy or by calling 0800 085 2005.
Notes to Editors
Spokesperson interviews are available on request by contacting the Carbon Trust Press Office on 020 7544 3100.
The survey was conducted amongst 1,217 employees across the UK by YouGov from 31st January – 5th February 2007.
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