Mandatory carbon reporting 'will benefit firms'

Forcing firms to reveal results of air monitoring tests in order to publicise their carbon footprint will bring about benefits to businesses.

This is according to a new study conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Aldersgate Group, the Co-operative Group and Christian Aid, who have suggested that the cost implications are not as bad as first reported.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had said that mandatory carbon reporting could cost large companies up to £4.6 billion a year.

However, the study has shown this to have been overestimated by 420 per cent, while the advantages of tracking air quality more closely were underestimated by at least 230 per cent.

"Voluntary carbon reporting has played its part but now it's time for mandatory carbon reporting to be brought in to really drive efficiency savings," commented WWF-UK's One Planet finance leader Sue Charman.

Last week, the WWF voiced its concerns over the UK government's National Planning Policy Framework, suggesting that it may be too short-sighted.

Posted by Lauren Steadman