Businesses urged to respond to CDP 2011 questionnaire

7 Feb 2011

Businesses are being urged to participate in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) 2011 Questionnaire in Ireland, which examines climate change practices, emissions reduction targets, climate change risks and opportunities, emissions data and zero or low-carbon strategies.

The CDP is asking firms to measure and disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies, encouraging them to set reduction targets and make performance improvements.

In Ireland, 33 Irish companies participated in 2010 and it is anticipated this number will increase in 2011.

Dick Budden, Ireland director of CDP, is calling on Irish businesses to participate.

“CDP has become the established and accepted global standard for examining the possible impacts on business of the many factors connected with climate change. Last year, more than 3,000 companies around the world responded to the CDP request, recognising that carbon management has a strategic role to play in reducing energy costs, generating revenue and remaining competitive. We look forward to welcoming more Irish firms to the Carbon Disclosure Project this year.”

Climate-change strategies

Jim Barry, chairman of the NTR Foundation and CEO of NTR plc, adds: “It is becoming increasingly evident that ‘green’ practices actually contribute to the bottom line and companies are taking this on board. Last year’s CDP found that 79pc of respondents had a board committee or executive body responsible for climate-change strategy. It therefore makes sound business sense to participate in CDP and demonstrate you also are assessing the challenges and opportunities of sustainable practices.”

The questionnaire itself is circulated to 40 of the largest companies in Ireland listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, large organisations involved in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, including the major utility companies such as Bord Gáis and ESB, and other companies that volunteer to take part.

CDP itself is a not-for-profit organisation that gathers data on how companies act to prevent climate change. In Ireland, it is principally sponsored by the NTR Foundation and supported by KPMG.

Questionnaires must be completed by the end of May 2011 and the Carbon Disclosure Project Ireland 2011 Report will be published later in the year.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

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