Climate Group callsfor united CO2 effort

The Climate Group is calling on brands to put sector rivalries aside and unite to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The group, which was set up in 2004 to bring governments and companies together to tackle climate change, wants more companies to join its We’re In This Together initiative. The scheme was launched last year and aims to help every household in the UK cut CO2 emissions by one tonne within three years.

At present, ten brands, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and BSkyB, are part of the coalition, which celebrates its first anniversary at the end of next month.

But David Hall, international campaign directorfor the Together scheme,says: “We want to get moreco-operation going between businesses. It’s about setting aside rivalries and trying to do things together. We’ve already got M&S and Tesco [from the retail sector] and we are calling for more businesses to join.”

As part of the campaign, Tesco pledged to sell 10 million energy-saving lightbulbs in the first year – up from the 2 million it sold in the previous 12 months. The retailer has not yet released sales figures for the lightbulbs, but it is thought to be set to hit its target.

Other brands taking part include O2, British Gas and B&Q, which has cut the price of two of its best-selling insulation products.

So far 420,000 tonnes of CO2 have been saved since the launch of Together. The Climate Group is taking the initiative to the US and Australia later this year.