Almost two-thirds of the UK's biggest 350 companies are failing to disclose greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, according to a report. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which collects data on corporate emissions, says that reporting of emissions forecasts increased from 7 per cent in 2008 to 30 per cent in 2009.

However, just 35 per cent of FTSE 350-listed companies disclosed emissions reduction targets. Companies failing to respond included British American Tobacco and Carphone Warehouse*.

The utilities sector was the best performing, with 67 per cent of companies achieving some levels of emissions reduction. The utilities sector also had the highest proportion of companies with designated boardroom-level responsibility for climate change. CDP chief executive Paul Dickinson said corporate reductions would only improve with a new global deal on carbon emission reductions.

Note: Since publication of this article Carephone Warehouse has said it is submitting the details requested by CDP. It has responded in all previous years and said a delay in receiving the request was behind their late disclosure this year.

(The Ecologist, 19/10/2009)