Businesses in York have been criticised for ignoring the threat of climate change.

The ticking-off comes from Dr Garry Felgate of the Carbon Trust, as new research reveals that fewer than 15 per cent of the city's businesses believe that climate change will have a major effect on their organisation in the next five years.

The Carbon Trust figures show that York businesses rank climate change at the bottom of their list of priorities with only 35 per cent taking any action to cut carbon emissions and become more energy efficient.

The trust works with UK business and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.

An independent company set up by Government to help the UK meet its climate

change obligations, the Carbon Trust offers £69 million in grants annually to help the process.

Dr Felgate said: "York businesses need to realise that climate change will have an impact on their organisation.

"The extreme weather conditions that climate change can cause and the associated higher insurance premiums, coupled with legislation introduced to mitigate climate change, will affect business. Companies need to act now."

The Survey Shop carried out the research on behalf of the Carbon Trust last month.

The York results were calculated from 1,500 interviews with 60 companies in 25 different UK locations.

Dr Felgate said: "Businesses will soon see the benefit if they start taking measures to mitigate climate change - they will be helping not only the environment, but also their bottom-line as cutting carbon and energy use will save them money."

"Even small changes can make a difference. If businesses are unsure of what to do, the Carbon Trust can help. Businesses can call our free helpline on 0800 085 2005 to get expert advice on improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions."

Updated: 10:44 Wednesday, June 29, 2005