CNBC European Business magazine has published a ground-breaking new list ranking the world’s top low-carbon pioneers. The list, published in the January/February 2007 issue of the magazine is the first of its kind, ranking businesses that have connected climate change to their bottom line and profited. It includes industry pioneers creating new low-emission technologies, champions of environmental sustainability within existing businesses, and leaders in the international CO2 trading market. CNBC European Business magazine is distributed through WH Smith bookstores located at major business and travel hubs.

The top place on the list was awarded to James Murdoch, Chief Executive, British Sky Broadcasting Group, whose company was the first to set itself the goal of carbon neutrality, and who is a passionate champion of environmentally responsible business.

Dr. Richard Lofthouse, CNBC European Business Editor, commented: “This is the world’s first lowcarbon pioneers list; CNBC European Business intends to produce the list again during 2007 and to take a leadership position, within the business media sector, on the future low-carbon economy. This is the first time anyone has properly addressed this subject to this degree of depth and seriousness and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate the progressive companies that are addressing climate change while adding to their bottom line.”

Lofthouse continued: “In creating this list, our objectives are to do real-time research on a burgeoning sector, to take a leadership position on the low-carbon economy of the future and to celebrate the companies at the heart of it all, the pioneers and the leaders who see climate change as an opportunity and not just as a threat.”

The list was exhaustively researched over a six-month period in 2006, through peer-review, interviews of the companies themselves and research support from trusted partners Thomson Financial and Innovest Strategic Value Advisers.

Also included within the January/February 2007 issue of CNBC European Business is a full issue of features on climate change, including:

• Why London is the global centre of alternative energy funding and carbon trading
• Germany’s grand tradition of green entrepreneurship
• The French approach
• A major analysis of carbon trading present and future