Businesses and Investors asked to give their views on Green House Gas reporting

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a new consultation to gather views from businesses and investors on Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions reporting. The new consultation seeks to gather evidence on whether companies feel it should become compulsory for some businesses to report emissions or whether measurement of GHG emissions reporting should continue on a voluntary basis. Research by the department has shown that reporting so far has helped to increase interest in emissions and environmental performance at board level, as well as making cost savings for the company and improving their environmental image with clients. The consultation document sets out four possible approaches that could be adopted to encourage more widespread and consistent reporting. Launching the consultation, Environment Minister, Lord Henley said, “We want to see more businesses reporting their emissions, but a balance has to be struck to ensure we are not adding any unnecessary burdens. Our aim is to increase the number of companies which actively manage and report their emissions, so we want to hear from businesses on how they think we will achieve more widespread and consistent reporting.” The consultation is open until 5 July. With the government expected to make an announcement on their chosen direction in autumn.