ACC Milk, HJ Heinz, Kraft Foods, PB Gelatins, Unilever Bestfoods UK and United Dairy Farmers have signed up for the pilot carbon management programme, which aims to reduce their CO2 emissions. By integrating the growing implications of climate change into their day-to-day business, the carbon management programme will help the companies develop practical solutions to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions.

The pilot programme offers advice, guidance and analytical tools designed to reduce carbon emissions through increased energy efficiency and resource productivity. The Carbon Trust estimates that if all FTSE500 businesses were to adopt a carbon management type approach, the UK's annual carbon dioxide emissions could be reduced by 10 million tonnes. Sixteen of the FTSE 100 and around 10 per cent of the FTSE250 are members of the pilot scheme.

Andrew Wordsworth, head of carbon management at the Carbon Trust, said: "With the increasing EU regulation on carbon emissions, climate change presents real financial risks and opportunities for UK businesses - and the situation is likely to get tougher over time. Our innovative pilot carbon management scheme provides an approach to exploit these opportunities and mitigate against the risks. Companies such as these are leading the way in both helping reduce the impact of climate change and increasing their own cost-efficiency. I would urge others to follow their example."