More than 50 small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland graduated from Carbon Trust Scotland's Carbon Management programme, receiving their certificates from Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, at the official ceremony at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.

Through the implementation of their energy saving projects over a five year period the 2013 graduates can expect to see a collective financial saving of over £14m, whilst reducing their carbon emissions by more than 54,452te CO₂

The popularity of the Carbon Management programme amongst SMEs has grown as companies across all sectors realise the commercial benefits of improving their energy efficiency and cutting carbon. The 2013 graduates include companies as diverse as The Russell Group, Cairngorm Mountain and The Orkney Creamery.

The Carbon Management programme is designed to help SMEs develop a targeted framework to deliver energy saving and carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline CO₂ emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period; in many cases resulting in significant financial savings.

The Carbon Management programme was rolled out to the private sector in 2011 due to the programme's success within the public sector. Over 150 Scottish public sector organisations have undertaken the programme since 2006.

Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, said:

"I am delighted that so many private sector companies are now recognising the benefits of addressing their energy efficiency by embarking on the Carbon Management programme, which not only makes financial sense by also helps to cut damaging emissions. The fact we have over 50 companies graduating this year is extremely encouraging. These companies,from as far afield as Shetland, the Hebrides, the Highlands and down to the Central Belt, have led the way for Scottish businesses and have collectively identified potential total annual cost savings of over £3.5m, with cumulative savings approaching over £14m possible as they meet their 5-year carbon emissions reduction targets."

Paul Wedgwood, general manager at Carbon Trust Scotland, said:

"The Carbon Trust Scotland has a strong track record in helping both companies and public sector organisations make significant carbon and financial savings by implementing energy saving projects. With more than 50 companies graduating from the programme this year, a marked increase on last year, we know there is a growing hunger amongst the private sector for better energy efficiency to reap financial benefits,particularly in the current economic climate where every penny counts. The Carbon Management programme is an excellent vehicle to achieve savings, which will not only benefit the environment bu makes excellent business sense too."

Smarts graduate from the Carbon Trust Scotland Carbon Management programme 

The Russell Group graduate from the Carbon Trust Scotland Carbon Management programme

Public and private sector businesses interested in finding out more about the Carbon Management programme in Scotland should email: scotlandoffice@carbontrust.co.uk.