Survey reveals that Climate Change is becoming a significant issue for their business

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has actively participated in a new environment survey of over 3,000 firms, released today by the British Chambers of Commerce, which has calculated that UK businesses have made £1.1 billion in energy efficiency savings over the last 12 months.

With the economy stalling and companies left facing painfully high energy bills, one of the few positive developments is the focus businesses are placing on climate change by improving their energy efficiency.

The findings emphasise the urgent need for the Carbon Trust, the Government body established to assist business in the drive towards a low carbon economy, to capitalise on this fresh momentum, especially if the UK's ambitious 2050 carbon emission targets are to be met.

Where the Carbon Trust has been too slow, is to engage with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs),and they must now take advantage of this energy efficiency push and refocus on assisting more SMEs - the business sector most in need of help and one which contributes over 50% of all business energy usage.

The report entitled, Business and the Environment: Challenges Ahead, surveyed companies nationwide to ascertain the current business opinion on climate change and the environment. Some of the key findings for Suffolk include:

• Nearly nine out of ten companies reported that they recycle while just over half use energy efficient products. • A third of businesses provide training to their employees to reduce emissions while a quarter have developed energy management policies to limit their impact on the environment. • Nine out of ten respondents claimed that energy costs were likely to influence their response to climate change. • 40% of respondents stated that climate change was a significant issue for their business now, though more thought it would become an issue over the next five years. • 65% of businesses claim the most effective policy Government can use in reducing carbon emissions are energy efficiency policies. • Less than a quarter of businesses had used at least one of the Carbon Trust's services suggesting the majority of businesses are left without assistance, with 70% stating that few businesses really understood the implications of climate change. • A significant number of those who have engaged with the Carbon Trust were larger organisations, highlighting the continuing need for effective advice and assistance for SMEs. Commenting on the survey findings, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, David Frost, said:

"Over the last year a majority of businesses have shown a real appetite for reducing energy usage and as a result the environment has been pushed to the top of their agenda.

"If the Government is going to meet ambitious emissions targets, it needs to refocus the Carbon Trust onto the wider business community where they stand the best chance of hitting these targets. Businesses are clearly doing their bit, but if the Government is serious about reaching the targets they will have to step up their game."

To download a copy of the report, please click here.