Businesses 'need better understanding of carbon emissions'

Article date : 03/08/2010

In order to successfully lower their carbon emissions, UK businesses need a better understanding of where they are coming from, according to one sector commentator.

A spokesman for the Centre for Alternative Technology said that the first step an organisation should take when setting out on the road to going green is to carry out an audit of their current emissions.

Until this was carried out, firms would have a difficult time determining which areas to tackle, he explained.

"Once you have an understanding of where your emissions are coming from, you can look at the different options for reducing them in those areas," he continued.

The spokesman suggested looking to renewable energy as a replacement for their current electricity generators - which may incorporate solar panels.

He also recommended that government adopt more of a 'carrot and stick' approach to low-carbon technology, making it more expensive to keep using high emitting devices.

According to a report by Climate Strategies, worldwide promises to reduce carbon emissions are currently "insufficient" to drive the vigorous price within the carbon market that would be needed for a 2020 peak in emissions.

Written by Jasper Cullen

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