Bristol already has an international name as a green city, only recently narrowly losing out in a Champions League shoot-out against Europe's best.

But we all need to do more if we are to achieve the cuts in carbon use that we all want to see.

One group that can make a massive difference is the business community, and that's where the Green Capital Pledge comes in.

Anyone can follow the example of dozens of companies which have already signed up to do their bit towards achieving a low carbon future which will see an 80 per cent cut by 2050 compared with the level of emissions in 1990.

Our pledgers produce an action plan, work with others to make a difference and publicly report their progress through the Bristol Partnership.

Any business could benefit both itself and the planet by signing the pledge. It doesn't matter what it does, where it's based or how many staff it employs. But all of them can save themselves money, improve their efficiency, increase staff morale and help to preserve the environment.

Look at one of the biggest employers of all – the National Health Service, which does an enormous amount of good, but does so while consuming a huge amount of energy.

Patients who need treatment will understandably be more concerned about their own condition rather than that of the planet, but there are many enthusiasts within NHS Bristol who are working to help both.

They are making improve- ments across the board, with more staff cycling, telephone consultations and, most importantly of all, strenuous efforts are being made to reduce the environmental cost of procuring the equipment, drugs and other supplies which make up 60 per cent of the NHS carbon footprint.

Another big employer which has a huge effect on our lives is Wessex Water. It takes the subject of being environmentally friendly so seriously that it has set itself the target of becoming carbon-neutral and the most sustainable company of its type in the country.

It has incorporated a range of long-term strategies into its business plan including working to control leakage, managing demand for water, protecting the water environment and wildlife, minimising greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring the sludge from treated sewage is used productively on the land and as an energy source.

It started literally from the ground up, making its head- quarters building as green as possible.

During construction, almost three-quarters of waste was recycled. The building faces the prevailing south-westerly wind which helps with natural ventilation and the position of each office wing allows the building to warm naturally from the winter sun in the mornings.

A range of techniques has been employed to reduce energy, such as motion-controlled lights, efficient equipment, solar water-heating panels and rainwater collection for flushing toilets. No wonder the operations centre has won a number of environmental and building awards.

Most businesses are not the size of the NHS or Wessex Water, so it's great to have large numbers of small and medium sized companies getting involved, even those which, at first glance, don't look particularly environmentally friendly in what they do. For example, the idea of bringing food from around the world looks like a green "no no" at odds with all the modern mantras of eating local and seasonal produce.

But Bart Spices is following an ancient tradition which helps people to cook and enjoy fresh food, and they are doing it in the most conscientious way possible.

The vast majority of spices come by ship, many from Fairtrade growers, which contributes to sustainability abroad. Investment has been made in low-energy equipment and staff have undergone formal training to improve recycling rates and reduce waste.

Printers are another group of businesses which look on first sight as not too environmentally friendly. But again, they can do their bit. The Bedminster-based Doveton Press uses a lot of paper. When customers started to ask whether the paper came from sustainable forests, it knew it would have to act.

As it turned out, quite a lot of its supplies came from certified growers, but it decided to go much further, and has now gained recognition from two bodies to ensure it can prove that the vast majority of the paper it uses comes from sustainable forests.

This took some time and effort, and the staff had to be trained in operating the system properly, but what a boost to its business that it can provide assurances demanded by ever-more-selective customers. If money is no object, reducing the carbon footprint of your business is reasonably simple.

However, that's a pretty rare situation these days, and things are much less straightforward for a company which turns existing buildings into office spaces for charitable organisations.

The Ethical Property Company has opted to reduce its carbon footprint by ensuring it carefully monitors energy usage and also educates and encourages tenants to reduce the footprint of their buildings over time.

For the web designers, Nameless, its most sig- nificant contribution to reducing its carbon footprint was a case of "no pane no gain".

Operating from a Grade II listed building meant there were restrictions on renovations, but the installation of secondary double-glazing made a big difference to its energy use and improved roof insulation was good news for both the environment and its balance sheet.

Even though this is a thoroughly modern business, it's not afraid of incorporating traditional think- ing when necessary.

It used to buy milk from the supermarket, but now it's delivered by the milkman in old-fashioned milk bottles, which are environmentally friendly as they're washed out and reused. It also goes out of its way to get to know other firms and promote community spirit.

Some pledgers are relatively new to the issue of environment- alism but others, like Quattro Design Architects, have been involved with green issues for 25 years. It's not content to rest on its laurels and continues to strive to do even better.

In the last 12 months, it has improved its information systems for clients and design staff to show just how environmentally friendly new buildings can be, and has drawn up a range of ambitious targets, including reducing its carbon footprint and water consumption.

Building a sustainable business means serving the needs of both the company and the planet. It's a particularly demanding challenge for the construction industry, which makes a huge physical impact on the environment.

Consultants such as Rider Levett Bucknall prove that it's possible to conform to current best practices, attract more clients and reduce operating and project costs.

All these companies are reducing their carbon usage but making their businesses fitter, more sustainable and better able to survive in an increasingly competitive world.

For more information about the Bristol Green Capital Pledge, email catherine.bailhache@bris tol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 4159.