The government has bowed down to backbench pressure and amended the Climate Change Bill to incorporate carbon emissions in the business review.
All quoted companies will now have to include information on the amount of emissions produced, including its fleet, on-site energy use, business travel and on-site equipment, the Independent on Sunday reported.
The move will become statutory this summer.
Conservative spokesman for business enterprise and regulatory reform Alan Duncan said: 'the idea of carbon reporting sounds a good idea but we don't currently have a standard auditing process for carbon. So until such a mechanism is established, it's impossible to expect businesses to comply particularly smaller businesses that are already overwhelmed by heaps of red tape.'
Backbenchers and other organisations such as Christian Aid believe that current environmental reporting requirements are too weak in order to meet the Climate Change Bill target of reductions; 26%-32% by 2020 and 60% by 2050.
Eliot Whittington, political adviser at Christian Aid, said: 'We want government to make environmental reporting mandatory, not voluntary'.
The CBI endorsed the mandatory reporting amendment but don't believe that it will be implemented until 2013.
The change will be represented in the Commons this month and is unlikely to be dropped. A Whitehall source believes that it would be 'highly embarrassing' if it did not go through.
Alistair Darling, in his first budget, earlier this year announced there could be plans to amend the Climate Change Bill by increasing the reduction to 80% by 2050.
Further reading.
Companies will have to tell all on carbon emissions
Official EPA figures show fall in emissions during 2005 and 2006, driven in part by higher fuel prices and growing alternative energy capacity 12 Mar 2008
Increased taxes on gas guzzlers, tougher rules on biofuels and consultation with automakers over emissions all in the mix as Darling seeks to bolster green credentials 10 Mar 2008
Defra launches consultation designed to cut the administrative burdens associated with carbon reduction schemes 02 Jan 2008
Wide range of environmental taxes and targets increase pressure on firms to cut emissions from transport and buildings, but renewables and green investment sectors left disappointed 12 Mar 2008
Prime minister to deliver keynote environmental address as he attempts to quash rumours of watered down climate change targets 19 Nov 2007
Building giant details plans to develop three more commercially viable zero carbon homes over next three years 16 May 2008
Toyota claims the iconic hybrid vehicle has helped cut global carbon emissions by approximately 4.5m tonnes in the last decade 16 May 2008
More news
After two decades of development countless nanotechnologies are fast approaching commercial viability – and they have the potential to redefine the clean tech sector 16 May 2008
Green business courses are springing up think and fast, but as Vanessa Crossgrove Fry warns it could still be several years before we see Green MBAs take their place in the largest firms 14 May 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
