British Gas launches new green business - uSwitch comments

Welcoming today's move by British Gas to launch its new drive to offer green, low carbon products, Geoff Slaughter, Energy Product Manager at uSwitch.com, says:

"This is a very welcome move.

While other suppliers are making similar forays into the green arena British Gas must be applauded for taking a bigger, bolder step.

The time is absolutely right for this: our own research shows that only three in ten British households (30%) feel they are doing enough to cut their carbon emissions and 79% of people claim not to have enough information to become more energy efficient.

"The message coming through from consumers is absolutely clear - they are ready, willing and able to do their bit to help tackle climate change, but are sorely in need of a helping hand from suppliers.

By establishing a new business to drive this, British Gas is flexing its green muscles and showing that that it is taking this issue seriously.

"We hope other suppliers will follow suit.

But it's also vital that they don't stop here.

The industry must start to make a concerted effort to provide consumers with clear, explicit guidance on green energy.

Currently less than 1% (0.8%) of consumers in the UK are on a green energy tariff - we would like to see all suppliers work hard to boost take up and ultimately strive to go above and beyond what they are required to do to meet their Renewables Obligation." For more information on green tariffs and energy efficiency, or to download uSwitch's green energy guide, please go to www.uswitch.com/green Notes to editors: 1.Research was conducted amongst a representative sample of 2194 adults by onepoll.com on behalf of uSwitch.com between 15th and 20th March 2007 2.Based on the proportion of households on green tariffs.

Total households in the UK is 26million and the number of people on green tariffs is 200,00 according to Friends of the Earth.

-Ends- uSwitch.com has launched a new online green guide for consumers (www.uswitch.com/green).

The move comes after its new research found that only three in ten British households (30%)1 feel they are doing enough to cut their carbon emissions and 79% of people claim not to have enough information to become more energy efficient.

The green guide contains useful advice on how people can use less energy, find funding for energy saving home improvements and look for the right green energy tariff.

Currently less than 1% (0.8%) of consumers in the UK are signed up to a green energy tariff.

Geoff Slaughter, Energy Product Manager at uSwitch.com, says: "Consumers are clearly willing to do their bit to help tackle climate change and recognise that, with the right information and guidance, they could contribute a lot more.

"One of the simplest steps they could take is to switch to a green energy tariff, but there is a complete lack of clarity over what constitutes green energy and take-up in the UK is very low.

Our guide will hopefully help people get to grips with green energy, as well as helping them explore the many other ways in which they could join the UK's battle to cut carbon emissions." Other key stats from uSwitch.com's research1 into the UK's green behaviour: 74% of people say they are using energy efficient light bulbs 70% are not leaving appliances on standby 80% turn the lights off when leaving a room 57% wash their clothes at a lower temperature For more information on green tariffs and energy efficiency, or to download the guide, please go to www.uswitch.com/green.

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