How small business can be green and boost their business’ value without spending a penny

June 2, 2010 - PRLog -- When the coalition announced they were joining the 10:10 initiative by committing to reducing 10% of their energy use during the next 12 months; the official announcement said: The consequences of this pledge are nothing short of immense.

Fighting climate change isn’t all about the big players and big budgets. Small businesses should be aware of what they can do to contribute and proudly display the ‘green eco’ stamp on their business. According to The Carbon Trust who reported during May, a business moving towards a low carbon economy could boost a business’s value by 80%, whereas businesses that do not respond to changes needed could decrease their value by up to 65%.

Small business can now pledge their commitment to fighting climate change without spending a penny. One of the most effective ways small businesses can tackle climate change is to monitor their business energy use. Monitoring energy can assess energy efficiency of buildings against weather conditions; compare energy performance to typical and best practice standards, shows seasonal energy useage, and identify high-energy consumption weeks. Ultimately monitoring presents a wealth of results on energy used, carbon emitted and money spent, Identify abnormal energy use quickly to put remedial plan into action and therefore can potentially save a business save on energy bills.

SMEasure.org.uk is a free business energy and carbon-monitoring calculator, that has been created by the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute as part of their research into a lower carbon future. The research continues and the energy data received is used by the team for research purposes and ultimately to inform energy policy as well as investment and programmes to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

Today SMEasure.org.uk has unveiled its small businesses support in a bid to encourage more small businesses to consider their carbon footprint, starting with the addition of the small business page SMEasure.org.uk/small_businesses.  SMEasure allows businesses to identify how much they may be over spending and users also benefit from a free A-G rating similar to that of a Display Energy Certificate. With no equipment or experience required there really isn’t any reason why businesses can’t go green today and pledge their support too.

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SMEasure.org.uk is a free energy analysis calculator for businesses, by the Energy Research Group at Oxford University’s Centre for the Environment. Cutting-edge building analysis techniques show how to save energy, reduce carbon emissions & cut bills.