Firms bleed cash through poor energy management

Food, drink and tobacco firms are wasting over £280,000 daily due to poor energy management and they must take advantage of cost-cutting opportunities by improving energy efficiency, urged the Carbon Trust.

“It is estimated that food, beverage and tobacco businesses could reduce their annual carbon emissions by seven percent, or 981,000t, simply through cost effective energy efficiency measures,” claimed the Trust. “This would reduce their collective annual energy bill by around £103M.”

Energy efficiency is now top priority for companies looking to combat the impact of the credit crunch, according to a Carbon Trust business leaders survey. Hugh Jones, solutions director at the Trust, said: “Our research shows that energy efficiency measures, not job cuts or salary freezes, are the cost-cutting steps businesses are considering first during this economically challenging time.

“Our new statistics provide stark evidence that if companies are starting to feel the bite from the economic downturn, the first place to look for cost savings should be their energy bill. There are literally millions of pounds going out of the window every day.

“We’re talking about money that could be banked simply by making quick and easy changes such as encouraging staff to turn off computers and lights, turning down the heating, or maintaining equipment properly.”

Carbon emissions are the key cause of climate change, and business is responsible for around 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. The Carbon Trust analysis shows that as well as saving cash, the measures would save around 22Mt of carbon dioxide emissions.

Last year the Carbon Trust helped to save up to 2Mt of carbon by working with companies. To find out more visit the Carbon Trust website at http://www.carbontrust.co.uk​