A survey by Business in the Community, an organisation which encourages firms to work on their CSR policies, found companies scored an average of 94 out of 100 in a question on whether they measured and reported their impact on climate change – an increase of 16% from 2006.

More than 150 companies completed the Environment Index 2007, which assessed their management and performance across the environmental spectrum.

Business in the Community, one of the Prince’s Charities, said it showed increasing confidence among businesses about their data, and a serious commitment to tackling climate change.

Jim Haywood, environment director at Business in the Community, said: “Businesses are increasingly regarding climate change as an economic issue, and recognising that measuring, publicly reporting, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can bring genuine business opportunities.

All of the companies said they were working with their suppliers to try to make supply chains more environmentally friendly.

Almost nine out of ten were also able to demonstrate a reduction in waste and a year on year increase in recycling.

“But there is more that business can do, and more businesses that need to be involved, particularly by working through the supply chain.”

Of the 155 that took part, 123 chose to be listed publicly in the published results, ranging from banks such as Lloyds TSB to mining firms such as Rio Tinto and retailers such as WH Smith.

The average overall score was 87 out of 100, and the number of companies scoring above 90% exceeded all of the index’s previous 12 years.

Kate Martin

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