Businesses benefit from voluntarily reporting their greenhouse gas emissions, research shows

A Defra report has shown that British businesses experience benefits from voluntarily reporting their greenhouse gas emissions.

Research found that businesses who measured their emissions experience cost savings, improved green credentials and better relations with investors and customers, and 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's report summarised this research to help inform future plans for emission reporting.

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.

This report will help inform the Government’s decision on whether to make GHG reporting mandatory.

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."

Further information:
Defra