Member Article

North East climate change website launched

A new website providing information for business on climate change issues has been launched in response to demand from North East companies.

The ClimateNE Business Hub will provide information and support around commercial opportunities relating to climate change, along with advice on money saving through reducing emissions and improving efficiency.

Coordinator, Adrian Hilton, said: “We conducted a survey with over 300 North East businesses on their attitudes, perceptions, exposure, vulnerability and related legislation of climate change.

“While there is a lot of information available on climate change in general, the survey clearly told us that businesses found it confusing and difficult.

“The point was made that the information needs to be more focussed and targeted more specifically at businesses; the development of this business hub is a direct response to this request.”

Simon Hanson, North East Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “It is unsurprising that many businesses are unsure where to go to make sense of the risks and opportunities that climate change poses.

“This could leave many smaller businesses in a vulnerable position, so it is vital that all businesses, whatever their size, assess the risks and take action to avoid costly disruption, as well as investigating the commercial opportunities they could exploit.”

Commenting on the website, Mark Stephenson, a policy adviser at the NECC, said that it was important that businesses began to realise the economic opportunities presented by the move to a low carbon economy.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .