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Growing businesses, which use around half of the UK's business energy, are not doing enough to control their consumption of energy and are largely ignorant of incentives for becoming energy efficient.
The claims come in an energy survey released by accountants PKF.
In all, 400 growing businesses were questioned during January to find out how the sector is coping with rising prices, the global responsibility to cut emissions, and the need to stay competitive.
Whilst findings suggest 92% of growing businesses have suffered rising fuel costs in the last 12 months and 56% are finding it impossible to pass all the increase onto customers, over half (51%) of growing businesses are not aware of the benefits available to them in becoming energy efficient and 80% have not considered using alternative fuels or power as energy prices rise.
Toby Stephenson, partner for growing businesses at PKF, stated: "Energy
efficiency is no longer just a green issue but something all businesses should
frequently review to curb the ever-increasing energy burden on both their costs
and the environment. It is clear from the findings that many businesses could be
doing a lot more to reduce their own energy costs".
In spite of high levels of anxiety (82%) among respondents about rising fuel
costs, 80% have not considered alternative sources and over half are not aware
of government targets and benefits available to them in becoming energy
efficient.
Although 84% of respondents feel some responsibility to be more energy efficient
for climate change rather than commercial reasons, the strongest motivation for
improving their businesses' energy efficiency is the opportunity to reduce
costs.
Even then, nearly three quarters of respondents need to be reassured that the
benefits would clearly outweigh the initial investment costs and any upheaval of
putting energy saving measures in place.
Forty percent of respondents would be encouraged to buy energy-efficient items
if all small and medium sized businesses were entitled to the lower rates of VAT
available for large construction projects.
Source:
RedAlert
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