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B&Q is to install free insulation for people over 70

Over 70-year-olds are to be offered free home insulation as part of a Downing St-backed campaign to encourage action on climate change.

Retailer B&Q said it would offer to install insulation for over 70s and those on benefits beginning with 700 employees this summer.

The pledge was among several made by business leaders at a summit to encourage consumer support for the "Together" climate change campaign.

The campaign said consumers could save up to three tonnes of carbon dioxide and up to £1,152 on household bills a year by choosing "green" products. It aims to help each UK household save a tonne of carbon dioxide over the next two years.

The initiative, launched last year by former prime minister Tony Blair, initially involved eight companies, including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Royal & SunAlliance.

Organisations to join this year include Coca-Cola, Warner Bros, MySpace, The National Trust, Business in the Community and the Government-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap).

B&Q chairman Ian Cheshire said: "In the current economic climate we are all looking for ways to save money and insulation remains one of the most effective ways of reducing your energy bills and your carbon emissions - a major cause of climate change.

"Working in partnership with British Gas, we will be offering free installed insulation for the over 70s and people on disability and income related benefits. We're kick starting this process by ensuring all the 700 over 70s that work for us have adequate insulation in their homes to keep them warm this winter."

Mr Blair continued his involvement this year by appearing in an online film alongside Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Boris Johnson urging public action on climate change.

In a message to the conference, Mr Blair said: "Climate change is the biggest long term challenge facing our generation and it is only by working together that we can solve it. I helped launch Together last year and it is encouraging to see millions of actions taken by the British public and over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 saved."