A survey of British business has found widespread confusion over climate change initiatives and the likely impact of a move to a low carbon economy.
The fourth npower Business Energy Index (nBEI) canvassed 200 senior managers and energy buyers at SMEs and large industrial and commercial firms on attitudes to energy use, costs and the low carbon economy.
The research revealed a marked lack of support for attempts to reduce carbon emissions, even among the UK’s most energy intensive businesses.
The findings also showed an apparent lack of understanding about the nature of a low carbon economy and its implications for UK businesses.
Despite the high profile of climate change, and the emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, the report found a wide range of interpretations of the term ‘low carbon economy’ including; ‘the final nail in the coffin of UK manufacturing’ and ‘basically a system whereby the Government will punish those people using high energy’.