Businesses can reduce footprints more

There are a number of ways in which Irish businesses and consumers can reduce their emissions, says Ireland's sustainable development council Comhar.

Professor Frank Convery, chairperson of Comhar, made the statements in response to a recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) report, which stated that climate change could rapidly worsen Europe's weather.

Businesses should take corporate social responsibility seriously and start trying to cut down on air travel - and consumers also have a part to play in this, Mr Convery said.

"Air travel is the biggest negative by far and will be difficult - but not impossible - to address, with offsetting a prospect if it is credible," he explained.

"Big gains in other areas - such as a hybrid car or better insulation - will require investment, but this can be brought forward and highest carbon efficiency performance standards assured."

Every Irishman could save around four tonnes of carbon annually with too much effort, Mr Convery says.
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