Summit plea for green help

Published on Saturday 3 May 2008 14:56

MOST businesses say they are willing to cut their carbon emissions but need more guidance from Government on how to achieve its targets.

A poll of delegates at the Prince of Wales's Business Summit in Edinburgh revealed that two-thirds (65%) were ready, willing and able to rise to the climate challenge.

But 87% wanted the Scottish Government to do more to educate them on how to meet the target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

The summit, organised by Scottish Business in the Community, was a reconvening of the May Day Network – the largest movement of businesses committed to taking collective action on climate change. More than 1,700 businesses took part across the UK.

Climate change minister Stewart Stevenson said that although Scotland only contributes 0.15% of global emissions, the proposed statutory target for reducing emissions "signals Scotland's serious intent to lead the global effort to combat climate change".

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who addressed the audience live from a central event in London, said his vision was a "green economy powered by business innovation and driven by changes in consumer behaviour".

Samantha Barber, chief executive of Scottish Business in the Community, said: "The response from businesses to the challenge that the Prince of Wales set last year and the pledges made today is fantastic and really encouraging.

"However, there is still so much more to be done if we are to lead Scotland to a low carbon economy."

&#149 Companies can pledge to take action and to join the May Day Network at www.sbcscot.com/mayday, which also contains a range of other information.