Human resource departments may wish to place an additional focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and energy efficiency, following a recent pledge by the Environment Agency.
According to the Sunday Times, a new department has been set up within the agency to monitor and enforce measures designed to ensure businesses do not generate excessive carbon dioxide emissions.
The 50-strong group of auditors and inspectors will be easily identifiable in their green jackets and will have the power to enforce next year’s Carbon Reduction Commitment.
As part of their job description, the officials will be able to enter a business property, view old gas and electricity bills – along with power meters – and examine records, the newspaper continues.
Ed Mitchell, head of business performance and regulation at the Environment Agency, said: "Climate change and CO2 are the world’s biggest issues right now. The Carbon Reduction Commitment is one of the ways in which Britain is responding."
However, going green may be advisable without this additional enforcement, as James Murray, editor at BusinessGreen.com, recently noted that green IT could significantly reduce energy bills.