Business leaders can help combat climate change once they realise they can actually profit from it.

That is the message from a senior figure at Harwell-based environmental consultancy AEA Technology.

Chief financial officer Alice Cummings said: "Simple things like saving paper can soon start to hit the bottom line.

"Tackling climate change is not just about selling the technology - a lot of it is about behaviourial change and getting everybody on the same side."

Ms Cummings was speaking as the company unveiled a dip in its pre-tax profits to £2.8m for the six months to September 30, down from £5.9m for the same period last year.

But turnover has risen ten per cent to £35.3m and Ms Cummings said the company would be looking to increase its 500-strong Harwell workforce by 10-15 per cent in the next year.