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An overwhelming majority of businesses (87%) at HRH The Prince of Wales’s Business Summit on Climate Change said the Scottish Government is not doing enough to educate them on how to meet their ambitious target of an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

Delegates at the Business Summit, held in Edinburgh on Thursday (1st May), were asked to take part in an electronic poll to gauge their perception of the Government’s plans to tackle climate change and how achievable they are. And while the majority (65%) said they are ready, willing and able to rise to the Government’s climate challenge, the vast majority also said that they need more guidance from the Government to get there.

The Summit, organised by Scottish Business in the Community (SBC), was a reconvening of the May Day Network – the largest movement of businesses committed to taking collective action on climate change. Over 1700 businesses took part across the UK with the event in Scotland linked to the other 12 venues via satellite technology.

In Edinburgh, over 100 Scottish businesses heard from Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson who said that although Scotland only contributes 0.15 percent of global emissions and can’t solve the problem alone, the proposed statutory target for reducing emissions “signals Scotland’s serious intent to lead the global effort to combat climate change.”  And he told the business leaders to embrace the opportunities available to them in taking this lead with “new markets for lower carbon energy products likely to be worth $500 billion (£250 billion) by 2050.”

 Stevenson’s words were echoed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown who addressed the audience live from a central event in London. The Prime Minister applauded the steps that business has already taken to address the critical issue of climate change but emphasised that more could be done. He said his “vision is a green economy powered by business innovation and driven by changes in consumer behaviour.”

Following the key note addresses and a series of round-table discussions, companies made firm commitments to work collectively with their employees, suppliers and customers to reduce their carbon footprint. Over 150 “pledges” were made in Edinburgh. By pledging to take action and committing to reporting back in a years time, these companies agreed to join SBC’s May Day Network.

Samantha Barber, CEO of SBC, said:

“The response from businesses to the challenge that The Prince of Wales set last year and the pledges made today is fantastic and really encouraging. However, there is still so much more to be done if we are to lead Scotland to a low carbon economy. Companies need practical solutions that have been successfully delivered in other organisations and can be incorporated into their own. SBC is committed to supporting its May Day Companies to get these solutions and turn their enthusiasm into action by May Day 2009”

May Day Companies will be supported with a range of follow-up activity provided by SBC and partner organisations. Companies can pledge to take action and to join the May Day Network online via www.sbcscot.com/mayday. Progress on pledges, case studies, sources of advice and other information will also be available via this website.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

 For more information on Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) visit www.sbcscot.com

 Case studies and interviews are available from May Day Network members. Please contact Caryn Robertson on 0131 451 1100, 07920234642

Media enquiries to:

Lisa Dransfield, External Relations Manager, Scottish Business in the Community, 0131 451 1100, 07717817779, lisadransfield@sbcscot.com

Caryn Robertson, Communications & Events Coordinator, Scottish Business in the Community, 0131 451 1100, 07920234642, carynrobertson@sbcscot.com