Support for GHG reporting rises

8th July 2011


Related Topics

Related tags

  • Management ,
  • Reporting ,
  • Mitigation ,
  • UK government

Author

IEMA

IEMA members increasingly favour the introduction of mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, according to new research by the institute.

Support for GHG reporting has increased from 80% to 90% among the almost 900 environment professionals responding to the latest IEMA survey.

“Since we last did our survey in 2010 there has been a significant increase in the proportion of our members supporting mandatory GHG reporting,” said Martin Baxter, policy directoy at IEMA.

Survey respondents overwhelmingly back “option 3” in the Defra consultation on reporting, which closed yesterday (5 July). Over 86% support this option, which will place an obligation to report on between 17,000 and 31,000 companies.

“In 2010, 50% of UK FTSE 350 companies made their disclosures public compared to 65% in the rest of the world. It is vital that the government makes a decision to make GHG reporting mandatory to enable the UK to take a leading position in business responsibility,” said Baxter

The research also uncovered some of the potential business and environmental benefits of requiring companies to disclose their GHG emissions. Over two-thirds (69%) of respondents say that GHG reporting will deliver cost savings, while more than three-quarters (77%) claim it will lead to environmental benefits – those reporting benefits indicate an average of 4.5% CO2 savings a year. And, 92% say a legal obligation to disclose will provide a simplified reporting framework and level playing field for reporting on their carbon emissions.

“IEMA’s research clearly demonstrates that the long-term savings and environmental benefits of reporting on GHG emissions clearly outweigh the initial costs needed to establish reporting systems within companies,” said Baxter.

The CBI has also given its backing to mandatory reporting. As the Defra consultation closed, the employers’ body reiterated its call for its introduction, arguing that mandatory carbon reporting would help firms monitor and manage their emissions effectively.

“Mandatory carbon reporting is a great way of making boardrooms aware of the savings possible through energy efficiency,” said director of business environment Rhian Kelly.

“To be effective, it is important that the government phases in the introduction of mandatory reporting and makes the process simple for companies to follow.”

Subscribe

Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.


Transform articles

Facing the climate emergency challenge in local government

It’s well recognised that the public sector has the opportunity to work towards a national net-zero landscape that goes well beyond improving on its own performance; it can also influence through procurement and can direct through policy.

19th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) strategy is based on optimistic techno-economic assumptions that are now outdated, Carbon Tracker has warned.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK’s new biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements could create 15,000 hectares of woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands and absorb 650,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s latest Public Attitudes Tracker has found broad support for efforts to tackle climate change, although there are significant concerns that bills will rise.

13th March 2024

Read more

Multinational corporations are undermining their net-zero commitments with excessive air travel and no plans to reduce ‘the low hanging fruit’ of carbon footprints, a study by Transport & Environment has found.

13th March 2024

Read more

The UK government’s climate adaptation plans are ‘inadequate’ and falling ‘far short’ of what is required, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned today.

13th March 2024

Read more

Large businesses across the world are avoiding climate action due to fear they will be called out for getting their work wrong, according to a new Carbon Trust report.

29th February 2024

Read more

A thought-provoking discussion on how storytelling can change the world took place in Central London last night, alongside an exclusive sneak preview of an upcoming IEMA film series.

29th February 2024

Read more

Media enquires

Looking for an expert to speak at an event or comment on an item in the news?

Find an expert

IEMA Cookie Notice

Clicking the ‘Accept all’ button means you are accepting analytics and third-party cookies. Our website uses necessary cookies which are required in order to make our website work. In addition to these, we use analytics and third-party cookies to optimise site functionality and give you the best possible experience. To control which cookies are set, click ‘Settings’. To learn more about cookies, how we use them on our website and how to change your cookie settings please view our cookie policy.

Manage cookie settings

Our use of cookies

You can learn more detailed information in our cookie policy.

Some cookies are essential, but non-essential cookies help us to improve the experience on our site by providing insights into how the site is being used. To maintain privacy management, this relies on cookie identifiers. Resetting or deleting your browser cookies will reset these preferences.

Essential cookies

These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.

Analytics cookies

These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors to our website and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works.

Advertising cookies

These cookies allow us to tailor advertising to you based on your interests. If you do not accept these cookies, you will still see adverts, but these will be more generic.

Save and close