Department of Energy and Climate Change

Action from business is central to delivering our ambitious climate change targets and making the transition to a low-carbon Britain.

Taking action on climate change offers real opportunities for businesses. Low-carbon technologies offer new markets, and greater energy efficiency can help reduce fuel bills and save money. Many businesses are already taking action to reduce their emissions and seize new opportunities that a low-carbon economy will bring.

UK policy on climate change aims to encourage and enable organisations of all kinds to take the lead in finding and implementing cost-effective measures that will cut greenhouse gas emissions. The aim is to tackle climate change while ensuring that businesses remain competitive and as efficient as possible.

Key policies and mechanisms in place include:

• market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large organisations – including the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the Climate Change Levy and Climate Change Agreements, and the Carbon Reduction Commitment
• providing information, advice and support to help businesses take action to reduce their carbon emissions, in particular through the Carbon Trust, energy efficiency loans for small and medium enterprises, smart meters and the Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme
• supporting innovation – in particular through the UK Environmental Transformation Fund
   

Guidance for UK businesses and organisations on how to measure and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

Defra, in partnership with DECC, have published guidance for UK businesses and organisations on how to measure and report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The guidance explains how businesses and organisations can measure and report their GHG emissions as well as set targets to reduce them. The guidance is aimed at all sizes of business as well as public and third sector organisations.

The guidance is part of the Government’s implementation of the Climate Change Act 2008. Organisations using this guidance will not be required to submit reports or make data available to government. Reporting on emissions is voluntary.