Environmental Benefits

 
 
 
 
 

Your planet needs you

There is growing consensus that climate change, also known as global warming, is becoming the greatest threat to our environment. It is caused by increasing levels of greenhouse gases which trap the Sun’s energy within the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide which is produced every time we use energy from fossil fuels - oil, coal and natural gas. With businesses producing almost half of the UK’s carbon emissions – their impact is huge.

The increase in our planet’s temperature has already caused seas to rise, making floods more frequent and severe. And as the temperature gets hotter, it’s predicted that we’ll see more extreme weather – with wetter winters and drier summers.

Businesses are currently responsible for about half of all the UK’s carbon emissions*

Even one small office can emit three to five tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Unless they reduce their carbon emissions, businesses will start paying the price of climate change through

  • more expensive energy supplies and higher insurance premiums.
  • a drop in business, with customers looking elsewhere for a more socially responsible supplier.
  • a need to start meeting even stricter government regulations and legislation.

The UK government has committed to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by signing the Kyoto Treaty. But if we are to meet our targets, businesses across the UK must lead the way. So if you’re not already looking at ways to save energy, now is the time to start.

Let the Carbon Trust help you be more energy efficient

At the Carbon Trust, we help businesses understand the importance of lowering their carbon emissions, and offer practical advice on how to do it.

Call us on 0800 085 2005 and speak to one of our energy experts or order a starter pack to find out more.

 
 
Footnotes
 

*Carbon emissions is a shorthand term for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions used in international climate change negotiations. 

1 tonne of carbon is equivalent to 3.67 tonnes of CO2

 
 
Related content
 
 

Publications

 
 
 
 
The Climate Change Challenge
Climate change is emerging as a major challenge for modern society. Government, business, and wider society will all be affected and all have a role to play in tackling it.

 
Director's Guide to climate change
Climate change has significant implications for the way companies are run, on their profitability and on their relationships with consumers, investors and the wider community. Among the risks…