Carbon Trust: SMEs wasting £1.3 billion on unused energy

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are wasting a cumulative £1.3 billion in energy costs every year.

This is according to the Carbon Trust, which recently conducted research into the energy habits of the UK's businesses.

However, businesses can save a considerable amount of money by implementing simple policies, according to Delvin Lane, head of client engagements for the Carbon Trust.

Turning off lights and monitors instead of putting these items on standby can make a huge impact, yet it is more a question of understanding the extent of that impact, Mr Lane said.

"People can actually do something about it," he said.

"So to put it ahead of recruitment freezes and other cost-cutting measures and make reducing your carbon emissions the number one priority."

According to the Carbon Trust's report released last week, businesses could collectively save the equivalent of the wages of 100,000 employees on an average £24,000 wage.