smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

'Mine's a pint, please'

For all the numerous and well-documented benefits of exercise, it...
Have your say »

RSS

MacArthur calls for ‘energy marshals’ for SMEs

Oct 31 2008

MacArthur thinks businesses should prioritise green

Yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur is urging businesses to appoint energy marshals in a bid to cut costs and save the environment.

Speaking to SmallBusiness.co.uk she said: ‘Just having one person reminding people to be more aware of their energy use isn’t a massive responsibility. I do it in my company of 50 and it only takes ten minutes a day.

‘Making simple changes to behaviour is really cost effective, and it’s important for businesses to save money at the moment.’

The campaign, which is being launched in conjunction with gas and power provider E.ON, aims to recruit 10,000 energy marshals.

The Carbon Trust estimates businesses could save £2.5 billion in the next 12 months if the initiative is successful, as well preventing the emission of 22 million tonnes of CO2.

Comments

There are currently no comments on this article

Prize Draw

Enter our Small Business competition and win a laptop!

Are you an entrepreneurial legend in your local community? Has your business savvy seen you blossom during the boom times and bootstrap during the bad? If the answer is "yes", then you'll be intrigued to hear that Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Insurantz.com to discover 30 of the UK's best run small businesses. Click here to enter

Polls

Latest News

Govt 'should cut small business red tape'

Small companies in the UK spend almost one working week each month dealing with red tape.

Small firm running costs 'falling'

New research has suggested that the cost of running a small business continues to decrease.

Red tape 'costs €1 trillion'

Red tape has cost European businesses a cumulative 1 trillion (£0.87 trillion) over the past 11 years, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Health and safety laws 'restrict businesses'

Small businesses find complying with health and safety laws time consuming and costly, with some worried they will be prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive.

Regulations 'harming British companies'

There is little communication between European Union (EU) and UK regulatory systems for businesses, with the volume of new legislation reducing the competitiveness of firms, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Survey: Small firms will cut more staff

Small businesses plan to reduce wages, bonuses and staff numbers in the next three months as they continue to struggle to access finance and cope with the recession.

Small firms 'value flexible working'

Most small business owners claim flexible working is vital to their success.

Welsh firms gain capital investments aid

Wales has established a new fund to support small firms with their capital investments.

Smart meters 'will help firms'

Small businesses will benefit from greater control of their energy usage from government plans to introduce smart meters.

Capital allowance rise 'does not help SMBs'

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are unlikely to benefit from the increase in capital allowances, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

Swine flu: Do not panic

Employers should not panic over a possible outbreak of pandemic swine flu in the UK, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) asserts.

Guides & Tips

A serviced office could save your business money

A guide to serviced offices

Office space costs can often leave companies with little room to breathe. Here SmallBusiness.co.uk and John Spencer, CEO of MWB Business Exchange, outline the potential benefits of serviced offices.

Office space dilemmas

Moving offices will test your financial skills and your ability to forecast how the company is set to grow.

Go green in the office

Recycling is now a way of life for many of us – in the home at least. It seems that the green message is finally filtering through as we become more aware of behaviours and actions that can have a negative impact on the environment.

Don't Miss

Moving to the Midlands

With leading universities, good transport links and affordable office space, the Midlands is proving to be the destination of choice for entrepreneurial ventures.

Starting up in the capital

If you’re based in the capital and are looking for funding, there are a number of options out there.

Office space to suit

If the cost of your office isn’t leaving much breathing space on the balance sheet, there may be alternatives.

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.