Energy saving measures should vary from business to business in order to be more effective, according to the Carbon Trust.

Henrietta Stock, technology acceleration manager at the organisation, explained energy saving schemes which are successful in some industries will not yield such good results in other sectors.

Speaking to the Guardian, she cited the example of manufacturing firms which use the majority of their energy in making their products.

As a result, she explained: "Opportunities like more efficient lighting and heating controls which apply to your typical high street business aren't as relevant."

This is one of the problems facing the Carbon Trust's Industrial Energy Efficiency Accelerator programme, she noted, particularly given that UK industry contributes around one-quarter of the country's carbon emissions.

The scheme, which was backed earlier this month by a number of manufacturers including Britvic and Tarmac, seeks to cut the UK's carbon output by more than three million tonnes.