Taking action on climate change offers real opportunities for businesses. Low-carbon technologies offer new markets, and greater energy efficiency can help reduce fuel bills and save money. Many businesses are already taking action to reduce their emissions and to seize the opportunities of the low-carbon economy.

UK policy on climate change aims to encourage and enable organisations of all kinds to take the lead in finding and implementing cost-effective measures that will cut greenhouse gas emissions.  Policies such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the Climate Change Levy and Climate Change Agreements, and the Carbon Reduction Commitment lay out market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large organisations.

The Carbon Trust, energy efficiency loans, smart meters and the Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme support smaller businesses take action to reduce their carbon emissions.

UK businesses are also working with the Government in developing policies that will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon UK.  These business initiatives include the Climate Change Board of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Business Council for Sustainable Development – United Kingdom (BCSD-UK), and Business in the Community.

Another such group is The Prince of Wales' Corporate Laeders' Group on Climate Change. Representatives of this group accompanied The Prince of Wales on his visit to Japan in October 2008. On 29 June, the Prince and the Group launched the Copenhagen Communiqué (PDF), a document calling on world leaders to take action to tackle climate change. Over 150 companies gave already signed the communiqué. More signatories are expected before it is formally submitted in advance of the UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen in December.