Warwickshire News Mine

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, which has close to 2,000 members across the city and the county, wants to help attract more environmentally friendly companies to the region.

The Chamber is also encouraging members to think about ways they can reduce their carbon footprint ahead of the Big Switch Off campaign which takes place from October 29 to November 2.

Stephen Docherty, policy officer at the Chamber, said businesses could benefit from reducing the amount of power they waste and should continue their green efforts long after the campaign.

He said: “Why couldn’t we have companies here making wind turbines and solar panels? This area has a history of manufacturing expertise and being at the forefront of new technology.

“But it’s not just about getting businesses here that are involved in the ‘green’ industry. Companies from all sectors can do their bit.

“We want all our members to adopt practices to reduce carbon emissions. Not just for the good of the planet, for the good of their companies too.

“If they reduce the amount of the power they use by, say, not leaving a monitor on standby or lights on unnecessarily, it means they would also save money.”

Docherty also called upon the government to do its bit.

He said: “If there is going to be green tax and regulation then it has to be for clear environmental goals and not just to increase revenue.

“But they should not just beat business with an environmental stick. There should be incentives for conducting business in a ‘green’ way and those with innovative ideas should be given encouragement.

“If we have a clear and open policy from government on what business needs to do, they can plan and invest for the future.”

Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council, Worcestershire County Council, and the Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, are leading the way with many other partners this year to drive home a ‘Switch it Off’ message.

If everyone in Warwickshire, Coventry and Worcestershire stopped leaving appliances on stand by it would prevent 86,322 tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere through wasted electricity and save more than £20m (enough to pay the annual electricity bill for 71,953 homes).

Carbon dioxide is the main climate change causing gas. In the UK, the energy we use to heat and power our homes accounts for 27 per cent of our total carbon dioxide emissions and this continues to rise.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “It really doesn’t take a lot to think about saving energy. You are not only saving the planet from the comfort of your own home, but also cutting your own energy bill by up to 25 per cent.

”It’s interesting to see how people behave towards energy. Prices have gone up massively in recent years, yet the vast majority of people remain unaware of what they are spending on their energy. People will drive out of their way to get a penny off a litre of petrol, yet ask them what a kilowatt hour of electricity costs them and they won’t have a clue.”

For more information on taking steps to `Switch it off’ visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/switchitoff or call the energy advice hotline on 0800 512012.

The Chamber is hosting a Business Over Breakfast event on Tuesday, December 4 called How to Profit From Climate Change. More information is available at http://www.cw-chamber.co.uk or on 024 7665 4321.

Link to WCC