SMEs could save £400m a year through carbon reduction

UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could save nearly £400m per year in energy costs and over 2.5 million tonnes of CO2e under the Carbon Trust Standard.

The Carbon Trust Standard SME online certification is the only tool designed specifically to help small business’ certify their carbon footprint reductions.

SMEs using the tool have, on average, cut their energy costs by £2,000 per year, and their carbon footprints by 13 tonnes CO2e.

Recognising the key role that UK SMEs play in meeting the UK’s carbon emission targets, and achieving green growth for the UK economy, the Carbon Trust Standard have also launched a free online guide to help growing business’ cut energy costs and carbon.

The new Carbon Trust Standard guide provides a range of information to enable growing businesses to save cash and increase efficiency by measuring, managing and reducing their carbon, and to boost their reputations by becoming a Carbon Trust Standard bearer.

Key topics covered in the guide include how to measure and monitor an organisation’s carbon footprint, how to collect accurate energy data and how to create a meaningful energy policy.

Also, the benefits of reducing emissions and how to start reporting on carbon and how you can use independent carbon footprint certification to grow your business.

Harry Morrison, General Manager, the Carbon Trust Standard, said: "Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the UK economy, and reducing their collective carbon footprint could play a major part in ensuring we meet the UK’s target to reduce carbon emissions by 34 per cent by 2020."

"What you can measure, you can reduce, so we believe there’s a major opportunity for every business to cut costs and carbon by taking action and achieving certification."

Further information:
Carbon Trust