NEWS

Norfolk firms ahead on energy efficiency

Norfolk firms are ahead of the rest of the UK when it comes to energy efficiency - but more needs to be done, according to research published today .

Businesses across the county were questioned along with more than 3,000 firms nationally as part of a British Chambers of Commerce led environment survey.

The survey found that UK businesses saved about £1.1bn through energy efficiency savings over the last 12 months.

And it also concluded that Norfolk was head of the rest when it came to using energy efficiency products, with two thirds of the businesses surveyed in the county reporting using energy efficiency products compared to just over a half nationally.

The favoured energy efficiency measures ranged from using recycled print cartridges and using eco-friendly printing methods to recycling promotions products and waste recycling.

Half of Norfolk firms agreed climate change was a significant issue for business, the prime motivator for this being energy costs, the survey found.

However, a further 72pc said customers would influence their approach to climate change.

But business leaders said more needs to be done, especially in terms of helping small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Caroline Williams, chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “A co-ordinated approach is needed to ensure that Norfolk businesses obtain the information they need to help them minimise the risks of climate change and maximise their cost saving opportunities.”

She added the chamber wanted to help firms understand what opportunities are available.

One that is already doing so is Norwich Union.

Tom Oxley, corporate responsibility manager UK for the firm said: “On top of being carbon-neutral and buying emission-free electricity, our operations team last year reduced our carbon emissions by more than 10pc - we've shown it can be done."

But he added Norfolk should get its “environmental house in order”.

“Then we can act as an exemplar to other counties in the way we do profitable, sustainable business while lightening our environmental footprint.”

The report, called Business and the Environment: Challenges Ahead, said the government had been too slow to engage with SMEs, which contribute to more than 50pc of all business energy usage, and that they must now take advantage of a willingness to try energy efficiency.

It also set out a series of recommendations which it says the government needs to consider if the UK is going meet carbon emission targets of reducing UK carbon emissions by 60pc by 2050.

These included being clear about its intentions, being co-ordinated and focussing on energy efficiency.

Findings from the survey, which contacted companies nationwide on business opinion on climate change and the environment, found:

Nearly nine out of 10 companies reported that they recycle.

A third of businesses provide training to their employees to reduce emissions, while a quarter have developed energy management policies.

Only a third of businesses stated that climate change is low on their priorities.

Nine out of 10 claimed energy costs were likely to influence their response to climate change.

Half said climate change was a significant issue and more thought it would become a significant issue over the next five years.

62pc of said the most effective policy government can use in reducing carbon emissions are energy efficiency policies.

Just a quarter had used at least one of the Carbon Trust's services.

Over half of the respondents felt that their employees were likely to influence their company's response to climate change, however, three quarters felt it was their customers who would be the real influence.