Big name firms pledge to cut carbon emissions

A number of major London businesses and organisations have signed up to a new scheme to help them cut both their carbon emissions and energy bills.

As part of the Green500 scheme, companies including Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Ikea will be offered advice and assistance in reducing their carbon footprint, as well as committing to publishing their emission-cutting success rate on an annual basis.

The plan aims to cut carbon emissions in the capital by three million tones before 2010, making total savings of £300 million on energy bills in the process.

"The London green organisations programme will motivate, support and reward organisations to reduce their carbon footprint," said Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.

"This is a world first, and places London at the forefront of government and business working together to cut carbon emissions," he added.

At the same time as the Green500 was launched, a Better Buildings Partnership was announced, aiming to encourage commercial landlords in the capital to reduce their properties' carbon impact. ADNFCR-1231-ID-18393470-ADNFCR