British law to force companies to reveal pollution levels

by Dave Keating | October 28, 2008 at 02:04 am

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A new law being proposed in the UK would identify the companies which pollute the most, and which companies are the cleanest. The goal is to allow consumers to make well-informed decisions about where they shop and purchase products, as well as to allow the government to develop logical policy to target the worst polluters.

The Climate Change Bill to be debated in the House of Commons on Tuesday will commit the UK to cutting greenhouse gases by 80 per cent by 2050.

An amendment put down by the government will also require all companies to publicly reveal their greenhouse gas emissions by 2012.

Joan Ruddock, climate change minister, said the measure would ensure business goes green.

"This will allow companies to demonstrate their green credentials and provide transparency for investors and consumers. It aims to stimulate businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and work towards a productive low carbon future."

Paul Brannen, Christian Aid's head of campaigns, said at present companies which publish figures do so "voluntarily and in a way which is often incomplete, unaudited and incomparable with other companies' disclosures."

But if the new law is passed, campaigners will be able to identify polluting companies as well as those doing well.