Publicly listed British companies will have to make annual declarations of their carbon emissions once the Climate Change Bill at present going through Parliament becomes law.

The Government today adopted an amendment that would make such annual reporting mandatory following a campaign spearheaded by international development agency Christian Aid.

Two weeks ago the organisation launched a major advertising campaign asking the public to write to Parliament and the Prime Minister on the subject.

Paul Brannen, Christian Aid's head of campaigns, said last night: 'This move is great news and shows the government finally taking action that was long overdue.

'It would have been impossible to believe the government is taking climate change seriously if it had left declaring emissions up to the whim of company directors. That is the situation at present and it has led to variable, unquantified and non comparable information in this area.

'UK businesses fund up to 15 per cent of carbon emissions around the world. With greater transparency we'll have much greater clarity on where the corporate responsibility lies to cut those carbon emissions.'

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Notes to Editors:

Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in more than 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life they deserve. Christian Aid supports I Count, the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which brings together over 70 organisations, from environment, development charities to unions, faith and women's groups. I Count backs a Climate Change Bill which commits the