Environment Agency calls for more green disclosures

A new Environmental Disclosures study of more than 500 FTSE All-share firms has found that they are being increasingly up-front about their green performance.

The majority of the largest publicly-listed companies in Britain are disclosing some information relating to their yearly environmental performance, found the Environment Agency research.

However, a minority were found to be sharing green statistics in line with Government guidance, and in some cases the details provided were still 'basic'.

All businesses across the UK are being urged to disclose details of their energy and water usage and their emission levels. These disclosures then enable the environmental performance of a certain company to be assessed in relation to others over time.

Paul Leinster, Environment Agency Chief Executive said, "More businesses are being open about their environmental risks, but it is a concern that there is still a wide variation in the quality of reporting and that less than one in three businesses surveyed provided data in line with Defra guidance.

"The increasing financial significance of many environmental risks and opportunities means that now more than ever investors need clear, comparable environmental information to help them decide where to invest their money. Businesses that measure their environmental impacts and risks are also better placed to manage and reduce them," he added.