Home improvement retailer joins Morrisons and Thames Water
B&Q is one of 12 companies awarded a green standard that reflects its commitment to tackling climate change.

The environmental standard - launched by the Carbon Trust today - has been prompted by the general public's perception that companies are guilty of greenwash, a phrase coined in North America to 'describe the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service'.

According to reports, companies pay £12,000 for the Carbon Trust Standard. To qualify they must have an annual carbon reduction of 1 tonne of carbon dioxide.

All accredited companies must maintain their level of reduction or face loosing the standard.

The Carbon Standard covers direct emissions from a company's fuel and electricity use in addition to business travel.

Other companies involved are King's College London, Morrisons and Thames Water.