December 7, 2007—The UK’s Carbon Trust has introduced a new business carbon footprint calculator that the organization says will help businesses shrink their carbon footprints and save millions this winter. According to the Carbon Trust, potential savings of over 2.7 million tonnes CO2, with related energy savings of almost 350 million, could be realized through cost free and low-cost energy saving actions.
The calculator is part of a new package of carbon footprint resources that is designed to help businesses understand what a carbon footprint is, how to calculate it, and how to reduce it. The initiative follows the Climate Change Bill announcement, which sets in the UK a target of a minimum 60 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 as legally binding for the first time.
The Carbon Trust’s new business carbon footprint calculator enables businesses to quickly quantify their key carbon impacts and understand where action might be taken to reduce emissions. It introduces common footprinting concepts in line with widely accepted reporting approaches such as the Green House Gas (GHG) Protocol .
In addition, the Carbon Trust is running a series of free interactive workshops across the UK which businesses can attend to get an understanding of what is involved in the measurement of their carbon footprint and what specific steps can be taken to reduce it.
Further support for small and medium businesses to cut carbon emissions is also available through the Carbon Trust’s 27 million interest-free Energy-Efficiency Loans fund. It offers a cost- effective way for businesses to replace or upgrade existing equipment with more energy-efficient versions.
For more information on all of the resources and services Carbon Trust offers, visit the organization’s Web site.
