Climate change is increasingly on the agenda for small businesses in the UK looking at ways to reduce their impact on the environment.
However, despite the best of intentions to improve business
energy efficiency, many such firms are still finding it is not easy being green in the current economic climate, due to the costs they perceive are involved.
Indeed, recent research by Abbey and Alliance & Leicester Business Banking has revealed that while 26 per cent of small companies have given a higher priority to their eco concerns this year, 16 per cent have had to downgrade such issues due to the costs involved.
Business energy efficiency may save cashAccording to the research, of the businesses which have taken steps to boost their energy efficiency, 80 per cent now ensure that all electrical equipment is switched off when not in use, while 59 per cent have invested in low energy lightbulbs in order to reduce electricity bills.
Meanwhile, three per cent have invested in renewable energy technology, such as solar panels and
wind energy, in an effort to both reduce carbon emissions and lower gas and electricity bills.
Why business energy efficiency 'can pay'Commenting on the findings, Paula Ickinger, head of business banking marketing at Abbey and Alliance & Leicester, said: "There are one and a half million small businesses in the UK, so it is very encouraging to find that so many of them have taken steps to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
"
Businesses could help cover the cost of being more environmentally sound by saving money in other ways, such as reviewing regular costs like utilities and bank charges."
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently advised that UK organisations could save billions of pounds simply by improving their business energy efficiency.
Indeed, the government has claimed that £6.4 billion could be saved by businesses every year if they take steps to improve their energy efficiency.
