Business activities account for about half of all emissions in the UK. Large companies have a significant impact on climate change.
The Carbon Trust has estimated that 16,000, or 2 per cent, of firms account for 80 per cent of emissions from industrial processes and business use of buildings. SMEs individually have only a small carbon impact, but collectively they account for the remaining 20 per cent.
Firms of all sizes and in a variety of sectors have the ability not only to curb emissions from their own operations but also drive wider improvements in the UK and abroad.
Business also has a critical responsibility to design new low-carbon products and solutions and in helping employees and customers make choices, which can in turn reduce their own emissions.