The second round of a challenge aimed at encouraging businesses to slash their energy use and cut their carbon footprint has been launched.

The Business Energy Challenge (BEC) awards celebrate private sector firms who have made the biggest difference to their energy consumption by switching to cleaner and more energy efficient technologies.

Gold, silver and bronze awards are distributed to the companies that are most successful in reducing their carbon intensity.

It is part of the Mayor Boris Johnson’s wider initiative to reduce emissions in London.

Last year 58 businesses, including Boots, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Marks and Spencer, entered and successfully reduced their energy usage.

The 27 award winners achieved an 18% reduction in carbon emissions in total and used 181,892MWh less energy – enough to power more than 10,000 households a year. That’s also equivalent to saving £12.5 million on energy bills.

Matthew Pencharz, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy said: “Last year’s Business Energy Challenge produced some fantastic results, not just for the winners but for our environment.

“I encourage any business which has a good story to tell to enter this year’s awards in order to get the recognition they deserve and build on last year’s significant achievements for our city.”

Around 75% of London’s carbon dioxide emissions is said to come from buildings and 43% from workplaces.

The awards are open for entry until September 9th 2015.