The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)’s fifth annual report into the carbon emissions of FTSE 500 companies shows that 76% of those who responded to its survey have put emissions reduction schemes in place, compared to just 48% last year. This is significant as the 383 companies who did respond are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions totalling almost 7bn tonnes per year – 14% of the global total. US businesses didn’t fare so well, with only 29% of respondents reporting reduction schemes.

While this massive increase has to be welcomed, it doesn’t reflect how effective these carbon reduction schemes are in practice. It still shocks me how much energy is needlessly wasted in industry – asking a production manager how often compressed air lines are checked, or whether he has a motor management procedure usually results in an red faced shuffle of the feet and a mumbled list of excuses. This is easy money to save – it is much harder to bring in additional sales to cover wastage costs.

In the UK, if you use more than £50k pa’s worth of energy, the Carbon Trust may give you a free audit. They reckon they can save most businesses about 20% on their bill. Not bad for nothing.