Businesses opposed to government climate targets

A survey published last week found that businesses are opposed to the Government’s plans to cut back on carbon emissions.

The survey, published by npower business, found that 71% of SMEs and large commercial and industrial firms believe that the Government’s plans for a Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) will make UK businesses uncompetitive.

Nearly two-thirds of businesses believe that the costs of implementing the scheme would outweigh the benefits, and only 48% think that the CRC will achieve its target of removing 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere by 2020.

However, 88% of respondents said that they support the Government’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. 36% believe that there is a commercial advantage to a small carbon footprint. This is a much higher figure than was found in a similar 2007 survey.

Paul Coffey, managing director of npower business, said of the survey results: “Businesses have faced a raft of new legislation in recent years, with more now promised in the form of the CRC, so it is understandable that they may feel the responsibility to reduce CO2 is being placed at their door.

“But with the UK’s CO2 emission targets becoming legally binding this year, we cannot escape the fact that all businesses will be called on to reduce their carbon footprint.”

Coffey thinks that business require more guidance as to how to reduce their CO2 emissions. Half of the survey respondents said that they would welcome guidance on how to improve energy efficiency.

Government ministers say that the CRC will not have any detrimental impact on any sector of the UK economy, nor will it make UK business significantly less competitive than in other countries.