Energy Management Advisory Services (EMAS) says that small and medium-sized enterprises are wasting more than £812 million on energy annually.

It reckons 28% of small firms' costs are due to unnecessary energy consumption - and in some cases, half of their annual energy bill is made up of wasted consumption.

EMAS chief executive John Walsh told This Is Leeds:

"There are a host of measures available that can reduce the shocking amount of energy that is simply wasted each day in offices and factories up and down the country."

Meanwhile, lobby groups are warning the Government not to pick on businesses if it introduces 'green taxes' in an effort to stop energy wastage.

The Economics of Climate Change report says failure to look at the issue could reduce world economic growth by 20% annually, The Independent reported.