New research has
found that British businesses voluntarily reporting their
greenhouse gas emissions experience benefits such as cost savings,
improved green credentials, and better relations with investors
and customers.
Research found that businesses who measured their emissions were
using the results to set targets for reduction and also in a much
broader context to influence wider business plans.
Businesses who participated in the research said that the
emission reports triggered board level interest in environmental
issues and drove environmental behaviour change across the
organisation, which had beneficial results for the company.
Emission reports were found to have a particularly important part
to play in communications to investors by helping to demonstrate
the businesses’ environmental credentials and encourage
investment.
Defra today published a report summarising this research to help
inform future plans for emission reporting.
Environment Minister Lord Henley said:
“I am pleased to see that the many companies already voluntarily
involved in reporting GHG emissions are finding the process
beneficial to their business and investors. I am also delighted to
see that the act of reporting is encouraging attempts to reduce
emissions.
“The next steps for Government will be to consider the findings
of the report. We’ll be announcing a way forward in early 2011.”
The report includes a review of Defra commissioned research by
PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Carbon Disclosure Project which
found that over half of companies interviewed during the research
believed that the GHG reporting led to a net benefit to their
business. It helped strengthen their brand in the eyes of
investors by providing them with quantifiable data on climate
change risks and performance with which to make investment decisions.
Chief Scientific Advisor Bob Watson said:
“It is encouraging to find that many companies see GHG reporting
as beneficial to their business. The emission figures seem to act
as a catalyst for other changes within the company resulting in
wide ranging benefits for both the environment and the business.
“Tackling climate change is something we need to do together so
it’s great to see the positive contribution being made by many
British companies.”
This report will help inform the Government’s decision on whether
to make GHG reporting mandatory. An announcement on how the
Government intends to proceed will be made in early 2011.
Defra has also published today a total carbon footprint of UK
central Government from 1990 to 2008. This includes the emissions
from sources such as buildings, vehicles and other equipment. For
the first time, it also includes the ‘embedded emissions’ of the
goods and services bought by Government.
Central Government activities have produced nearly 1.2 billion
tonnes of GHG emissions between 1990 and 2008. In 2008, the carbon
footprint of central Government was 64.7 million tonnes of GHG and
supply chain emissions were responsible for 77 per cent of this.
Central Government accounts for six to seven per cent of the UK
carbon footprint.
Direct emissions have been falling following recent work to
reduce Government‘s impact. The Government’s 10 per cent
commitment to reducing carbon emissions on its estate is bringing
further significant reductions. Further work will take place to
consider ways of reducing its supply chain emissions.
Notes to Editors
1. PricewaterhouseCoopers’ researchers are available for
interview to speak about their research and adapting to climate
change. To arrange an interview contact Rowena Mearley at PwC on
0207 213 4727 Rowena.mearley@uk.pwc.com
2. The review of current evidence can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/reporting/index.htm
3. PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Carbon Disclosure Project’s
research can be found here https://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/imagelibrary/detail.aspx?MediaDetailsID=1833
4. A Greenhouse Gas Footprint Analysis of UK Central Government
1990-2008 Research report to the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs by the Centre for Sustainability and Accounting,
can be viewed here http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&Completed=0&ProjectID=17486
5. The Government’s Greening Government Operations and
Procurement Action Plan details some of the action being taken to
reduce emissions further http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/documents/ap-driving-sustain-ops.pdf
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Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Tim Dunford
Phone: 020 7238 6001
tim.dunford@defra.gsi.gov.uk