More than three-quarters of businesses polled (77%) said they had invested in energy efficient lighting in the past year, followed by employee awareness training (59%) and energy metering, monitoring and targeting technology (57%).

However, while 96% of businesses surveyed said energy efficiency was an important consideration when purchasing or upgrading equipment, just 51% were confident about manufacturers’ energy efficiency claims. Some 57% of those surveyed said they would have benefited from a trusted database of accredited suppliers in advance of purchasing equipment.

The Carbon Trust has recently launched its Green Business Directory, which features energy efficiency and low carbon equipment suppliers that have been independently assessed and accredited via the Carbon Trust Accredited Supplier scheme. The Directory can be accessed at: carbon trust.com/greenbusinessdirectory.