More than a quarter of small businesses in the UK have been affected by climate change but only one per cent of all UK companies are aware of their carbon footprint, according to a new study.Research undertaken by the Carbon Trust revealed an increasing awareness of both the affects of environmental change and the potential business openings it may offer, with 27 per cent of firms seeing it as a business opportunity.However, the report's author's highlighted businesses' lack of knowledge of their carbon footprint as a sign that many are not yet taking the right steps to reduce their impact on the world around them."Our research shows that UK companies are more aware than ever of the realities of climate change and how it can directly impact on their business," said Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust."Only one per cent of businesses surveyed knew their carbon footprint," he added. "This is one of the key first steps for any business wanting to act on climate change."The Carbon Trust offers businesses a range of tools developed to allow them reduce their impact on the environment, allowing them to measure their carbon footprint and take measures to reduce it.