An energy haemorrhage
September 1st 2008 Energy efficiency is now the
number one cost-cutting priority for
UK businesses looking to combat
the impact of a potential economic
slowdown, according to research
released by the Carbon Trust.
With UK industry still wasting
almost £7 million a day on poor
energy efficiency, the Carbon Trust
and business groups are urging
businesses to seize the potential
savings on offer.
Of business leaders surveyed,
twice as many say reducing
carbon emissions has risen up
their agenda in the last six months
than those who say it has fallen (20
vs 9%). And they now rank energy
efficiency ahead of recruitment
freezes, redundancies, freezing
salaries or giving below inflation
pay rises as a potential cost-saving
measure.
New statistical analysis by the
Carbon Trust also highlights the
scale and urgency of the issue,
with estimates showing that UK
businesses could collectively save
almost £2.5 billion during the next
12 months simply by implementing
cost effective energy efficiency
measures. And the savings are not
just the preserve of large energyintensive
companies; the potential
saving for SMEs alone are around
£1.3 billion.
The staggering £2.5 billion figure is
equivalent to:
13% of UK companies' energy
bills
The combined annual salaries of
more than 100 000 employees
on an average wage. More articles from The Carbon Trust: | 
