MARKET INTELLIGENCE
The recession is leading companies to prioritise finances, but two thirds
believe the UK should take the lead in reducing global emissions. And
there is a renewed vigour to improve energy efficiency
Recession drives
fashion for ethics
One third of British
consumers are prepared to
pay more for ethically
produced clothing
T
he majority of UK businesses believe “The index shows that most businesses do The index, which surveyed 300 companies,
that government targets to reduce CO
2
not see commercial benefits from having a small also suggests that more needs to be done to
emissions are unrealistic – and many are carbon footprint, but we can’t escape the fact support businesses. Around 50% of firms
relegating carbon reduction activity in favour that climate change legislation and the strength complain of a lack of government advice on
of managing costs. of public feeling mean CO
2
reduction remains carbon reduction and energy efficiency.
According to npower’s Business Energy important,” said Julia Lynch-Williams, director The nBEI can be downloaded at
Index (nBEI), more than eight of ten business- of energy services at npower. www.npower.com/businessenergy.
es say the UK government’s goal of cutting “While it’s understandable that businesses Meanwhile, 72% of people in the UK are of
greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 is are more focused on the bottom-line in the the opinion that ethical production is impor-
not achievable. current economic crisis, we would encourage tant when deciding which clothes to buy,
The nBEI, an annual report tracking business them to see energy management as an effective according to the latest Ethical Clothing Report
opinion on energy use and carbon emissions, means of reducing emissions as well as costs.” from TNS Worldpanel Fashion. In fact, one
reveals that just 31% of businesses realise the While businesses seem less concerned with third of British consumers are even prepared to
commercial benefit of having a small carbon cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the nBEI pay more for ethically produced clothing and
footprint – down from 47% in the 2008 survey. shows a renewed focus on energy costs, with footwear.
And the recession is leading companies to 80% of firms likely to increase energy efficien- With the UK alone being responsible for
prioritise finances over CO
2
reduction. cy measures. importing around 3.6% of the total world
Around 97% said they are currently more con- And energy efficiency was also rated as the clothing production – two million tonnes of
cerned with reducing costs than emissions. most popular (43%) action for companies to fabric – it is estimated that more than half of it
However, 68% of companies believe the UK take to reduce emissions – ahead of changing ends up in landfill every year.
should take a leading role in reducing global processes (22%) or switching to a green tariff With most of this waste coming from house-
emissions. But this is a drop from last year’s (18%). “Businesses should make energy effi- hold sources and at least 50% of these textiles
survey, in which 88% of businesses backed the ciency a priority now and in the long term,” being recyclable, only around 25% is actually
government’s stance on emissions reduction. added Lynch-Williams. reused or recycled annually in Britain.
32 June 2009 ❘ Sustainable Business
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