Businesses in Liverpool feel the heat from rising energy costs

RISING energy prices and tax increases are the biggest worries facing businesses in Liverpool in 2010 after the state of the economy, according to research released by the Carbon Trust.

49% of business decision makers in the area said they are worried about the unstable economy, while 43% said they worry about energy price hikes. A similar number (47%) admitted to being concerned about tax increases.  Far fewer are worried about a possible change in government (17%) or complying with environmental legislation (10%).  36% of the businesses surveyed said that one of their top 3 New Year’s resolutions is to reduce the amount of energy their business uses. Despite this 7% admitted that no one within their organisation is responsible for managing their energy consumption and controlling costs.

The extent of business worries over energy prices was revealed as the Carbon Trust kicked off its Best Advice campaign drive to persuade British businesses to stop wasting £3bn of energy every year.  The campaign was launched by Ian Cheshire, Group CEO of Kingfisher and chairman of B&Q. He urged businesses to take a free Carbon Survey from the Carbon Trust which he calls:- “the best free advice any business will get this year.”

The Carbon Survey, available free of charge to all businesses that spend between £50,000 and £3 million on energy each year, provides the services of an energy expert on site and a tailored energy-saving action plan. It typically identifies potential savings on energy costs of between 20% and 30%.  The Carbon Trust estimates that if all eligible businesses in Liverpool signed up for the free Carbon Survey they could collectively save £18.8 million in energy costs and 807,521 tonnes of carbon a year. If all eligible businesses in the North West signed up, they could save £438m a year.

Ian Cheshire, CEO Kingfisher Group and chairman of B&Q said:- "It is simply good business sense to be smarter about the way we use energy. It cuts costs, makes us more efficient and improves our reputation with customers. I would encourage any business that has yet to embark on the energy efficiency journey to pick up the phone and book in a Carbon Trust survey. It is likely to be the best piece of free advice a business will get this year.”

The Carbon Trust’s Best Advice research also asked business decision makers in Liverpool who had given them the best piece of business advice they ever received and which famous business person they would turn to for advice given the chance. 

10% of respondents said their bank manager or accountant had given them the best business advice, but far more said it had been a colleague (43%), with good friends also rating highly at 37%.  Virgin tycoon, Richard Branson, was the most popular choice of business mentor with 33% of business decision makers wanting to turn to him for advice. Tesco boss, Terry Leahy, was the 2nd most in-demand (19%) with the Dragons’ Den dragons in 3rd place (14%). X Factor mogul, Simon Cowell, was not picked by any of those interviewed.

All businesses spending £50,000 or more on their energy consumption are being urged to visit:- thebestadvice.co.uk, or dial:- 01865 885788 for more information and to register for their free Carbon Survey.  Businesses spending less than £50,000 can access free, expert advice via a new Cut Carbon, Cut Costs online tutorial at:- carbontrust.co.uk.  It gives easy-to-follow video advice on how to cut energy bills and shows users how to calculate potential savings and develop a plan for achieving them.

Since 2006, the Carbon Trust has delivered over £180m in energy savings to British businesses through its Carbon Surveys. The Carbon Trust estimates that British businesses currently spending between £50,000 and £3m on their annual energy bills, could reduce their collective energy spend by more than £3bn by implementing energy saving actions of the type specified in Carbon Trust surveys.

Climate Change report reveals good public awareness but missed opportunities

THE Northwest Climate Change Partnership has conducted its largest, most comprehensive study to date into the region’s perceptions of climate change – investigating the opinions of over 2,500 businesses and 400 members of the public.

The Perceptions of Climate Change within the Northwest 2009 report, was commissioned by the NWDA on behalf of the Northwest Climate Change Partnership. It reveals that although most respondents see climate change as something that will affect them directly, translating concern into action is still a relatively a low priority. The report also incorporates the findings of a parallel study delivered by ENWORKS, the Northwest’s business resource-efficiency support programme, which co-ordinates environmental advice and training to companies.

The report updates a similar regional survey undertaken in 2007, but this time the views of an additional 2000 businesses are included.  The objective of the report was to understand changes in awareness, attitudes and actions since 2007 by conducting surveys and workshops, reviewing the findings of regional studies carried out in the interim, assessing mitigation and adaptation work conducted in the region and finally reviewing the key messages from the 2007 study.

The report does show similar outcomes to the 2007 study with around 66% of people questioned confirming climate change as something that will affect them and their families, and 81% stating that they personally can play a role in limiting its effects. 97% of the 16 to 29 year olds suggested that they could personally influence the effects of climate change, but the 60 plus age group were less optimistic about being able to affect change (67%).

90% of people questioned do see the link between climate change and energy consumption with the majority of people (61%) stating that they do some things to reduce their energy use but admit there is more they could do.  Climate change is a high priority in consumer decisions with the study revealing that as in 2007 the two top considerations when choosing a new car are fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, whilst energy efficiency ranks top of factors when choosing a new household appliance.

However, less than 10% of respondents calculated their carbon footprint or considered carbon offsetting and only 57% stated that they were aware of support and information they could access to help lower their energy consumption, with local authorities and utility companies being the most popular.

Of the 2500 businesses questioned on average just over 40% of businesses suggest climate change will affect their business.  87% of businesses suggest resource efficiency is very important or of some importance, but 40% state that they know where to access this support, and 67% of businesses stated that they did not look for advice at all.  A substantial proportion though, 25%, plan to make changes to how they use materials, energy and water over the next 12 months, and the survey revealed that there is a high take up of actions that are considered relatively easy to implement. These include: recycling and turning off electrical appliances when not in use, buying energy saving bulbs and taking out insurance against damage caused by extreme weather .
Dan Griffiths, Head of Climate Change, at the NWDA said;- “These findings show that although there is a strong sense of what Climate Change means for the future of the region amongst the business community and wider public, we still have some way to go to ensure it becomes an essential priority and incorporated into every day life.

Much has already been achieved in the region, while the newly launched Northwest Climate Change Action Plan will help to build on the Government’s focus for delivering sustainable economic growth.”

To download a copy of the study please go to:- climatechangenorthwest.co.uk.