npower Business - UK business confused over climate change

A survey of British business has found widespread confusion over climate change initiatives and the likely impact of a move to a 'low carbon economy'.
The fourth npower Business Energy Index (nBEI) published today, canvassed 200 senior managers and energy buyers at SMEs and large industrial and commercial firms on attitudes to energy use, costs and the low carbon economy.
The research revealed a marked lack of support for attempts to reduce carbon emissions, even among the UK's most energy intensive businesses.
The findings also showed an apparent lack of understanding about the nature of a low carbon economy and its implications for UK businesses.
Despite the high profile of climate change in political and public debate, and the emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, the report found a wide range of interpretations of the term 'low carbon economy'. Verbatim comments from the report include; ‘the final nail in the coffin of UK manufacturing’ and ‘basically a system whereby the Government will punish those people using high energy’.
When asked if reducing carbon emissions was a business priority, a substantial number (60%) of all respondents stated it was not. However, for major energy users, 60% believed reducing CO2 was a business priority. Of those major users who had said it was not a priority, 64% of these said it never would be, illustrating a polarised view amongst major energy users.
Despite the scepticism over carbon impact, the findings of the fourth nBEI do reveal that, with ongoing cost pressures, energy management has never been a higher priority for business. This sentiment is also translating into action, with an increasing number of businesses monitoring energy then ever previously reported in the nBEI.
Gordon Parsons, Managing Director, npower business commented: "The responses in nBEI suggest business is responding to cost signals by taking important steps in energy management, but there remains a lack of deep understanding of the business potential, and risk, of a likely increased focus on carbon reductions."
Parsons concluded: "Recently many large organisations including Tesco, BT and Marks & Spencer have seen the commercial opportunities to be gained by taking a more environmental approach to operations.
"More work needs to be done to change this approach from the exception to the rule. The energy industry, government and NGOs have a role to play in helping demonstrate that reducing energy cost and tackling C02 are mutually beneficial as opposed to mutually exclusive."

Email: katie.hornshaw@europe.mccann.com