1,000 make May Day CO2 pledge

More than 1,000 companies have committed to take action to tackle climate change as part of a May Day Summit organised by Business in the Community and the Carbon Trust. Almost 600 also agreed to become May Day Companies by reporting back on their progress in 12 months’ time.

The commitments were split up into four principal areas: mobilising their company; employees; suppliers; and customers.

Board level action
The most striking result was that 57% of companies said they would identify a board-level representative to coordinate carbon reduction activities.

• More than 70% said they would raise awareness among staff and encourage them to take action;

• 49% will provide information to their customers about the carbon footprint of their products and services;

• 53% will provide information to customers on how they can reduce carbon emissions when using the product;

• More than half committed to integrate a low carbon strategy into their company’s business model;

• 56% committed to develop a carbon reduction plan with SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timely) targets;

• 47% committed to work with suppliers to minimise carbon footprints in the supply chain; and

• 54% said they would encourage suppliers to measure and minimise their carbon footprint.

The event, which was hosted by the Prince of Wales, spanned nine regions across the UK. With businesses accounting for 40% of UK emissions, it was an opportunity for representatives to brainstorm and discuss climate change.

Clarity needed
Delegates felt that more clarity was needed from government. As it stands, companies are unsure of the legislation, information and support that is available to them.

However, more than 80% believe that climate change is a key business priority and 87% see it as a business opportunity.

A series of roundtables were held at the Summit, where companies could swap stories. One representative in charge of a company fleet said that although bio-fuel cars are environmentally friendly, they are not always appropriate as drivers can only fill up at the headquarters.

The point was also made that aiming for a 60% reduction in emissions is all well and good, but it could cause problems during M&A activity because target companies would be unlikely to have similar systems in place.

The groups were asked to make suggestions on policy changes and general ideas on making it easier to become carbon neutral. The vast majority believed that best practice guidelines should be set out by government to strike a clear framework with a balance between regulation and operational freedom.

There were also suggestions for tax incentives for companies that invested in their supply chain, as well as an international carbon trading programme. Among other ideas were carbon anti-social behavioural orders.