Commenting on news that Nick Clegg is to announce a UK Government decision to require big companies to report on their greenhouse gas emissions, Christian Aid's Director of Policy and Public Affairs Christine Allen said:

'This is a very encouraging breakthrough which will make UK plc more sustainable and accountable. We're delighted that Nick Clegg has shown real leadership on the importance of mandatory reporting and that he has convinced his cabinet colleagues of the need to act now.

'This is welcome news to the thousands of Christian Aid supporters who have been campaigning for mandatory carbon reporting for many years and we congratulate the UK and the Deputy Prime Minister on this decision. We also welcome the fact that the scheme can be reviewed in 2015 to make it more ambitious.

'We know that the world's poorest people are hit first and worst by the changing climate and this decision provides some hope that the UK government is serious about tackling the crisis.

'As political leaders arrive at the Rio Summit in the middle of difficult negotiations, we hope the Deputy Prime Minister uses his announcement to signal to the world that the UK is determined to show leadership and is prepared to seek a more ambitious outcome to the conference.'