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UK businesses could save at least £1 million a day through energy savings measures, says the Carbon Trust.

The Trust’s new campaign, ‘One Million a Day’, hopes to help businesses of all sizes through the recession by cutting energy usage to save money and reduce emissions.

Businesses could save up to 20% on energy bills by implementing energy efficiency measures that cost little or nothing, says the Trust.

“By taking action now to reduce energy use and cut carbon from our goods and services, British business has the opportunity to not only save money and create jobs, but set us on the path to becoming an innovative low carbon economy,” says Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband.

The campaign is focusing on three key areas – improving energy management through the use of smart metering and monitoring, switching to energy efficient lighting and upgrading inefficient boilers.

Energy efficient lighting alone could save over £11 million a year, if adopted by UK businesses, while improvements to heating and insulation could save over £8.5 million a year.

By putting all these small initiatives together, and encouraging all businesses to get involved, the Carbon Trust is hoping to help businesses save £1 billion over the next three years.

“All businesses – whether big or small - should realise easy cost savings by taking sensible energy efficiency measures,” says Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust.

SMEs in particular are being encouraged to make the most of the Trust’s £35 million fund for upgrading or replacing existing equipment with more energy efficient versions. The fund provides interest-free loans ranging in value from £5000 to £200,000.

The CBI, businesses, retailers and environmental charities are all backing the campaign.

“During a recession, it’s really important that businesses pick the low-hanging fruit. Focusing on energy efficiency is just one such example - put a small amount in and see huge savings in the long-term,” says Steve Howard, CEO, The Climate Group.

Telefónica O2 UK are good example of what can be achieved through simple measures.

“We saw some of our early wins from simple initiatives such as changing heating and cooling patterns in the offices and call centres and our awareness raising ‘Flick the Switch’ campaign targeting energy wastage,” says Ronan Dunne. “The results improved our bottom line, without excessive expenditure.”

For further information:
www.carbontrust.co.uk
www.carbontrust.co.uk/loans
www.theclimategroup.org/
www.o2.co.uk/