Pubs unaware of benefits of going green

A massive 76% don't think energy-cuts will boost profits

Three quarters of small businesses in the UK are blind to the cash-saving benefits of energy efficiency, a leading electricity company has warned.

In a survey carried out by npower just 24 per cent of small firms said they believed a small carbon footprint would boost business.

Commitment to energy efficiency was also found to have fallen, with managers rating it at sixth out of 10 in terms of importance  half a point down from last year.

However, the figures showed widespread support (81%) for government action on climate change.

Paul Coffey, npower business managing director, said: It seems small businesses are increasingly interested in the role of carbon reduction and believe the UK is taking the right direction in terms of combating global warming, but it is how this is translated into their own businesses where there seems to be a disconnection.