Businesses may need to be more carbon conscious

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Facilities management improvement could help businesses lower their carbon footprint.

By Ashley Brunskill

Consumers are becoming more carbon conscious to the extent that it is impacting upon which businesses they are using, if recent suggestions are anything to go by.

A poll by the Carbon Trust found that "carbon consciousness" has extended to homes and businesses and into the weekly shop.

One-quarter of those questioned confessed that their carbon commitment also has an effect upon their shopping habits, as well as concerns about getting cheap gas and electricity through lowering energy usage.

The Carbon Trust has urged businesses to agree to its Carbon Reduction Label after it found that 86 per cent of consumers would like their favourite brands to reduce their carbon footprint. Improving their facilities management could help businesses achieve this.

Euan Murray, from The Carbon Trust, said: "People are increasingly looking for simple ways to reduce their carbon footprint, without sacrificing on price, taste or convenience. They want to protect the environment, but are often confused about how they can make a difference."

The Carbon Trust provides support to help businesses and the public sector cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies.

Source: ask-re The Property People LLP