02 Feb 2010 09:02:07

Low carbon economy has 'business potential'

Britain's businesses should see the economic benefits of being environmentally-friendly, according to the environment secretary.

Launching a new report by the Aldersgate group last night, Hilary Benn highlighted how resource efficiency and sustainability made good business sense.

The 'Beyond Carbon' report written by the group of MPs, business leaders and NGOs calls on the government to go further in its environmental strategy by regulating the use of all critical resources – not just carbon.

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Benn endorsed the group's message: "Businesses that also adopt a longer term approach to improving their resource efficiency will ensure their sustainability and future success in a world where our natural resources are becoming scarcer, and more expensive.

The minister went on to say last night that the low carbon and environmental goods and technologies market is worth nearly £110 billion. It has also generated almost 900,000 jobs.

He also asked businesses to recognise the savings of being environmentally-efficient – low-cost resource efficiency measures could save companies approximately £6.4 billion a year.

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