Save the world AND your job

DRAGONS' Den star Theo Paphitis last night told News of the World readers they can help save the world AND their jobs.

And they can pocket some much-needed extra cash at the same time.

He told budding entrepreneurs: "Now is the time to come up with money-saving ideas and products."

As the country slides deeper into recession and jobs vanish, many people feel the desire to save the environment has been overtaken by financial anxiety.

But 49-year-old Theo insisted that going green could SAVE jobs - and help claw back extra cash at home.

And with a new series of Dragons' Den about to be filmed, Theo is especially willing to invest in businesses that emphasise their green credentials.

He said: "There's no question that green credentials in a business is an advantage.

"I love it when businesses approach me on the show that are linked to green issues, because if it can save money and be green then it's a double whammy and nobody could say, 'I'm out'.

Theo said his businesses have been assessed by the Carbon Trust and he has saved 23 per cent on energy costs.

"Just by turning down the thermostat at work by one degree can save eight per cent of your heating costs," he said. "Two degrees and that's 16 per cent lower costs.'

The wealthy entrepreneur pleaded with readers to pester their bosses to make changes that will help protect the planet.

He said at the launch of the Carbon Trust's One Million A Day campaign that aims to save UK businesses £1million a day by lowering their energy costs: "We all think we run our businesses perfectly efficiently but there are so many ways to make savings.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. They are the oxygen. They employ more people than anyone else except the Government. They have got to be maintained and helped along.

"People have really got to understand, in difficult times we've got to preserve jobs - it's the most important thing. If people are working then they are paying taxes and spending which is creating other jobs.

"If they are not working then they are not paying taxes and are not spending and are a drain on the State."

Theo said News of the World readers could make a massive impact on saving the planet and, just as important, saving costs, which could mean jobs.

The Carbon Trust aims to save the UK economy £1BILLION over three years and reduce the UK's carbon emissions by at least 17million tonnes of CO2.

The Trust is offering businesses interest-free loans of £5,000 to £200,000.

Carbon Trust chief executive Tom Delay said: "Every business should be asking how much cash their company can save by cutting carbon. Once the loans are paid back the savings will go on way into the future."

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