Business energy customers committed to a greener future

17/02/2012

Business energy customers in the public sector have said that they are committed to reducing their carbon emissions and scaling back their use of gas and electricity.

New research carried out by the Carbon Trust found that more than half of public sector firms (58 per cent) intend on making “tangible investments” in cutting down emissions during the remainder of this year.

In the private sector, the number of firms working on the same initiative stands at 46 per cent.

Richard Rugg, director of  Carbon Trust Programmes, said that some firms have been “truly pioneering” in their attempts to reduce their energy use and public sector organisations have shown themselves to be the most committed.

“Even in the face of an economic downturn, the public sector clearly still recognises the benefit of managing down its carbon and sees the short-term as well as long-term benefits of doing so,” he stated.

“You don’t have to invest large sums upfront to see a return. An open goal for the public sector is engaging their staff in energy efficiency programmes.

"The business case for carbon action stacks up. It’s an essential opportunity for cost saving not a costly nice-to-have."

Following on from the Climate Change Act’s guidelines set out in 2007, the UK has a target of reducing its carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

The survey was carried out with the help of the Guardian’s Sustainable Business website and some 1,256 companies took part.

Earlier this week, new energy secretary Ed Davy praised UK firms for their commitment to sustainability, stating that they are “leading the world” when it comes to using business gas and electricity in a responsible manner.

Mr Davy, the former business secretary, has been drafted quickly into his new role after the disgraced Chris Huhne was forced to step down over allegations that he perverted the course of justice over a 2003 speeding charge.

Posted by Richard Smart