More than half (54%) of small companies claim to have changed the way they approach business travel because of environmental concerns.

According to a report from Bibby Financial Services, 30% have cut their number of face-to-face meetings while a quarter now travel by train to meetings instead of driving.

Firms in business since 2000 are the most environmentally-friendly: 29% have changed their fleet to become more fuel-efficient; and almost a quarter (23%) have introduced environmentally-friendly policies, such as car-sharing and cycle-to-work schemes.

Commenting on the findings, David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, said: "CSR is the current hot topic. You can't read a newspaper or switch on the TV without coming across references to carbon footprints or Fair Trade goods."

He continued: "By demonstrating to employees, customers, suppliers and prospects that they are serious about CSR, business owners will not only attract new business, but become beacons of good practice."