DC08-362 October 16, 2008
BT helps small businesses cut energy consumption
BT Business today launches a free online tool to help small businesses reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint - the BT Business Environmental Self-assessment Tool (BT BEST).1
Sustainable business practices can help control operating costs, especially in today’s business climate with rising energy prices. BT BEST helps businesses identify some of their key environmental impacts and learn how they can make practical changes to improve their energy efficiency and green credentials. It takes into account how work patterns (such as travel and IT use); business operations (buildings) and company policies influence a firm’s carbon footprint.
New research commissioned by BT Business for Small Business Week’s Responsible Business Day2 reveals that reducing energy consumption is one of the most popular environmentally-friendly business practices, already a focus for nearly half (43 per cent) of small businesses. However, only one in six businesses has looked at reducing commuting by car or attempted to encourage staff to adopt practices that reduce emissions, such as conferencing. Nearly one in ten small businesses admits to having taken no steps at all to help the environment.
Bill Murphy, managing director, BT Business, said: “Sustainability is no longer a luxury for any business, regardless of its size. Improving your processes and tackling your carbon footprint isn’t just good for the planet – it also makes great business sense.
“BT BEST offers small businesses free access to some of the expertise BT has developed advising our larger corporate customers – for free. It levels the playing field for smaller businesses that may not be aware of how sustainable business practices in many cases carry financial benefits too.”
Independent environmental experts, Global Action Plan,3 have worked with businesses large and small for fifteen years, bringing to BT BEST its expertise in delivering practical advice to businesses on environmental management.
Trewin Restorick, CEO, Global Action Plan, said: “With 4.6 million small businesses in the UK, this community’s combined environmental impact is significant. Small and medium
sized businesses are often stuck as to what they can and should do to improve their green credentials so contributing to a facility allowing these businesses to assess their impact quickly and pick up practical advice is welcomed.”
Ellen MacArthur, BT’s ambassador for a better world and herself a small business owner, said: “People everywhere are keen to learn how a global organisation like BT is helping to protect the environment. BT BEST is another great example of how BT is demonstrating leadership on this issue by using its technology and experience to now help the UK's small business community understand and reduce their carbon footprints."
BT BEST can be accessed free at: www.bt.com/btbest by all small businesses through BT Insight, an online resource which provides small businesses with information and advice about technology.
Notes to editors
1. BT BEST is for businesses with up to 250 employees. For larger companies BT already offers its consultancy-based Carbon Impact Assessment service from the BT Global Services sustainability practice.
2. Small Business Week 2008 is a week-long campaign dedicated to championing small enterprises in the UK. One of the priorities for the week is to help SMEs reduce their carbon footprint, which is marked by a number of activities on Responsible Business Day. More information can be found at http://www.sbw08.co.uk.
3. Global Action Plan are an accredited to take small businesses to Phase 3 of the BS8555 standard in environmental management recognised by the Department of Environment & Rural Affairs.
