A HAMPSHIRE based insurance company has come out top in a European survey of companies which have the lowest greenhouse emissions.

Aviva, which has its healthcare operation in Eastleigh, was ranked number one in the UK section of the report, “Europe 300 Carbon Ranking’’, published by the Environmental Investment Organisation (EIO), a UK-based independent, non-profit research body.

However, Southampton’s cruising giant Carnival UK has been placed within the bottom ten firms, despite attaining one of the most demanding global standards for improving its environmental performance in reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

The EIO ranks companies, including a vast spectrum of different businesses, ranging from insurance groups to off-shore, oil and gas drilling, on their public reporting of emissions.

The apparent disparity is explained in the EIO report, which says: “It could be argued that the present ranking does not accurately reflect the emissions’ landscape as the key determinant of positioning is disclosure and verification before intensity.

“However, without complete and verified data we cannot accurately paint a picture of this landscape.’’ Sam Gill, EIO operational director, said: “Despite most companies producing corporate social responsibility reports there remains a remarkable lack of transparency and clarity in greenhouse gas emissions reporting.’’ Aviva’s environmental policy, says: “Our aim is to limit the impact that businesses have on the environment and to manage environment risk as effectively as possible. The policy sets out how Aviva will engage to meet the various environmental challenges and opportunities in line with its commitment to good environmental practice and innovation.’’ Carnival UK, which operates Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, has seen its environmental management programme independently assessed before being awarded the prestigious certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

A spokesman at Carnival UK, said: “We are dedicated to preserving the marine environment in which we operate and therefore believe it is our duty to introduce environmental practices which set a high standard of excellence and responsibility.

“To support our aim we have developed an environmental management system, independently certified to ISO 14001, which is the most widely recognised global standard for improving environmental performance.

We are reducing our air emissions through the implementation of fuel efficiency measures, including improved hull coatings, low energy lamps, increased recirculation of waste heat and improved efficiency in air conditioning and we continue to explore new technologies.’’