Small and medium-sized firms have been urged to take advantage of two new guides designed to help them better understand how energy efficiency measures can help save money and curb environmental impacts. The Carbon Trust Advice Line yesterday launched a new free guide outlining a range of measures that industrial, commercial, and public sector bodies can take to develop an effective energy efficiency plan. It encourages firms to view energy as a strategic issue managed from board level, and outlines how to monitor and report on energy performance, as well as bolster employee awareness of energy saving opportunities. Carbon Trust Programmes director Richard Rugg urged firms not to ignore the benfits of energy efficiency, arguing that relatively simple measures can deliver  financial and carbon savings, while also helping to ensure compliance with green legislation, such as the Carbon Reduction Commitment. ‘Cutting overheads is rightly high on the agenda at the moment, but energy costs don’t receive the attention they deserve,’ he said. ‘When it comes to managing energy, ignorance certainly isn’t bliss. You could be missing out on savings of up to 25 per cent on your energy bills. The news came as Climate North East launched a new website to help firms in the region better understand the risks and opportunities posed by climate change. The new ‘Business Hub’ is specifically aimed at helping firms in the North East of England after a survey of 300 local businesses showed a lack of understanding about how to address climate change impacts.
(Source: www.environmental-expert.com )