ALMOST ONE in two businesses have taken steps to tackle rising energy costs, according to a survey of small and medium-sized businesses from Ulster Bank.

The bank's second business confidence survey found that 48 per cent of companies in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector had introduced measures to curb their energy costs, while 62 per cent had taken steps to reduce waste costs. Just 12 per cent of businesses were using renewable energy sources.

Ulster Bank found that more companies were trying to reduce energy and waste costs than in April of last year, when the bank carried out the first survey. At that time, 39 per cent of businesses had introduced measures to reduce energy costs, while 45 per cent had tried to reduce waste costs.

More than 800 businesses were contacted last December by Amárach Research, which carried out the research for the bank.

Among the businesses that have taken steps to reduce energy costs, the two most popular energy-saving measures were fittings and technology that lowered energy consumption, and energy awareness campaigns.

Some 62 per cent of businesses have tried to reduce waste costs with waste and recycling campaigns. The survey found small firms were less concerned about the effects of energy and waste costs, with 17 per cent of firms saying they were very worried.

Companies in Dublin, Kildare, Laois and Westmeath were more likely to have introduced energy-saving policies, while businesses in Border counties were least likely.

Renewable energy was used the least among businesses in the Border counties and Dublin.