Efficiency 'should be a vital consideration' for firms - 04/11/2011

Business energy clients looking to perform an energy comparison should think carefully about what they can do to boost their efficiency and cut carbon emissions in order to improve their image.

Speaking at an Energy Services and Technology Association event in Manchester yesterday (November 3rd), executive director of the organisation Alan Aldridge said cutting energy bills and combating climate change are key factors firms must deal with when looking to increase their sustainability.

"On a national basis those are the main drivers, but when it comes to business you find that there is a 'value' driver that affects people. These will all affect the bottom line," he said, noting many customers may be happier to use a company that has demonstrated its green credentials.

The expert explained energy efficiency and associated factors such as carbon trading and Feed-in Tariffs are therefore "highly relevant" concerns for enterprises.

Mr Aldridge suggested one way to encourage firms to improve their use of energy is to increase the cost of carbon trading.

Currently, he noted business can buy emissions permits at a rate of around €11 (£9.40) a tonne, which he said is far too cheap.

The expert explained it is often more economical for a firm to invest in this in order to continue producing carbon than it would be to make improvements that will cut emissions.

A charge of around €50 per tonne would therefore act as a major incentive for companies to invest in low-carbon technologies and efficiency measures, Mr Aldridge stated.

"If you look at the [history] of CO2 emissions, if it carries on at the same way then we are not going to [hit targets]. We are coming to a point where we have to do better on CO2 emissions," he continued.

Recently, energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne told the Renewable UK conference the government must work harder to remove the barriers to green investment in the UK.

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