BT Customers support action on Climate Change

"Climate Change is a key business priority", was the unambiguous message that emerged from The Prince of Wales' May Day Business Summit on Climate Change, held at St James' Palace, London, sponsored by BT. Of more than 1000 CEO and board level Directors, many of whom are BT's direct customers, almost 90% saw climate change as a key opportunity for their business.

In an environment where businesses are responsible for more than 40% of the UK's carbon emissions, it was notable that all those companies that attended the summit made pledges to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. The enthusiasm with which these commitments were made is evidence of a growing nationwide movement of businesses taking action on climate change; they are consequently creating a demand for their suppliers to do likewise.

One particular success of the Summit was in communicating the message that climate change is having a steadily greater impact on the economy. When asked at the end of the Summit to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how significant an impact climate change will have on the UK economy in 20 years time, 70% gave a score of 8 of more.

Nearly half of the businesses represented at the Summit employ more than 1500 people each, and consequently there was a general agreement that UK industry and business can have a significant influence on limiting climate change. The primary method of achieving this was for businesses to mobilise employees, customers and suppliers.

The outcome of the May Day Summit has significant implications for BT, both in continuing to show a lead in reducing our own carbon emissions, but also in understanding the needs of BT's customers to reduce their carbon footprint and take positive action against the global challenges that climate change presents. Ultimately, tackling climate change is fundamental to BT's business and communicating our successes will benefit our customers and therefore our own.

Bruce Stanford, BT Environment Champion