Environmental responsibility came high on the business agenda in the results of a survey published last autumn by Thrive.

The online survey revealed that nearly all respondents – 98.3 per cent – personally recognised the moral case for corporate social responsibility and in the environmental arena, reducing the carbon footprint is the leading programme with 69 per cent of respondents making it their first or second priority.

Since Thrive was launched more than three years ago no comprehensive research had been undertaken and the survey is now recognised as a benchmark for future CSR activity and awareness across Birmingham.

The research, co-ordinated by Thrive co-chair Nick Venning of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Sarah Gee of Managing Partner of Indigo Ltd on behalf of the Birmingham Post, encouraged the steering committee to explore environmental issues at its occasional forums.

The first was held at the ICC last Thursday and brought together regular Thrive! supporters and business people new to the forum.

It heard that businesses taking steps to save the environment are able to cash in on thousands of pounds worth of savings.

The case for having an effective strategy was highlighted at Thrive’s latest forum looking at the issue of ‘Carbon Responsibility in the office-based sector’.

Key speaker was Dr Catarina Cardoso, of the Carbon Trust, a Government-funded independent company that works directly with businesses and the public sector to cut carbon emissions. In 2008 alone, the Trust support half a million UK businesses, saving companies more than £200 million from their annual energy bills and cutting up to 2.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from their annual emissions.

“It is a matter of taking responsibility,” said Catarina, whose direct involvement with businesses from large corporations to newly-launched SMEs means she has first hand knowledge of how simple steps can make a difference.

The Trust received a massive boost to its work in last week’s Budget – an additional £165 million of loans funding, representing a four fold increase in its existing loans programme to enable even more enterprises to take advantage of the existing energy efficiency programmes.

Catarina offered practical advice about how each individual could make a difference and why new laws and regulations will put additional demands on businesses. A growing number of companies are recognising the value of gaining certification from the Carbon Trust and this prove beneficial when the Government’s plans to publish a league table of carbon efficient corporations comes into effect.

Catarina said one of the first steps for each business is to measure current carbon emissions that can then be reduced through a range of initiatives. Savings can often be made through just turning down the heating, switching off lights and ensuring the photocopier is away from air conditioning units but she stressed the importance of taking the challenge further.

During routine maintenance more energy efficient equipment can replace older models and in the early stages of planning a refurbishment steps can be taken to ensure the most effective design decisions are taken. Grants and loans and expert advice are available and these can be put to effective use.

The Hippodrome in Birmingham, working with the Carbon Trust, undertook a £60,000 project in 2007 to introduce an energy efficient management system for its auditorium ‘comfort levels’ while reducing its energy usage.

The theatre was able to reduce its costs and save more than £17,500 per annum on its energy bills and won an Energy Management Award at the Building Controls Industry Awards 2007.

Catarina explained it was a good example of how businesses preparing to make a commitment can be a success.

“Many clients are coming to us because savings are considerable and find that what is being proposed is achievable and significant,” said Catarina, who stressed the importance of individuals within the company taking ‘ownership’ of the project.

She said: “You do find that people are very, very keen to do something but there are others with different priorities. You have to often fight to get a plan agreed but it helps when people understand what gains and payback can be achieved.”

Nick Venning, co-chair of Thrive, said it was clear that businesses need to take on board the challenges. “I think the message that has come across is that it makes good business sense and that will motivate most people.”

The Carbon Trust has recently published a guide about how to make the business case to fund carbon reduction projects. For information see the website at www.carbontrust.co.uk