09 Sep 2010 11:09:14

UK businesses 'believe climate change offers opportunities'

Many members of the UK business community believe that climate change offers as many opportunities as threats, a new report suggests.

In its annual report, the Mayday Network revealed that 76 percent of its members view the low carbon economy as providing opportunities for growth.

However, the same number said that they could not see a time when they would be able to make a profit without producing any carbon emissions.

Philip Green, chair of the Mayday Leadership Team and chief executive officer of United Utilities, said that all members of society must be involved in creating a sustainable future.

"Businesses thriving on innovation and responding to demand have a pivotal role to play and we will be at the heart of the shift to a sustainable society," he added.

The Mayday Network was founded by HRH the Prince of Wales in 2007 and represents 3,000 UK businesses of all sectors.

Some 62 percent of firms are not influenced by climate change scepticism in the media, the organisation's annual report also revealed.