NEWS

Warrington based, Centre for Assessment Ltd (CFA) has launched The Carbon Action Standard. Originally developed by CFA’s parent company, Economic Solutions, to help businesses reduce their

Carbon Footprint, organisations successfully assessed against the Standard have also made significant savings on energy bills.

Further benefits include:

·         Improving competitive edge in tendering

·         Enhanced image

·         Reputation and stakeholder confidence

·         Improving overall business performance

·         Meeting supply chain requirements

·         Aiding continuous improvement

·         Contributing to CSR policies

·         A more cost effective option than ISO 14001.

The Standard has been piloted with ten organisations around the North West, including a school, and engineering and MDF Moulding companies. Each participant saved 19% on average with under one year payback for the package of support. The companies involved are already seeing clear demonstrative financial benefits from using The Carbon Action Standard.

Leading MDF mouldings specialists W Howard, located at Astley near Wigan, is one of a handful of companies to be awarded full accreditation against the new standard.

“No one can fail to be aware of the impact of carbon emissions and global warming, it’s one of the major issues of our time,” commented W Howard’s Operations Director Graham Williams.

“Besides reducing our carbon emissions by approximately 200 tonnes, we are seeing a whole range of direct and indirect benefits, such as employee awareness for home life as well as work life, and estimated cost savings of £40,000 per annum. It will also make a major contribution towards our aim to achieve ISO 14001 this year.”

Changing behaviour

In order to be accredited against the Carbon Action Standard, organisations need to demonstrate they have plans with targets to reduce carbon emissions from a baseline carbon footprint measure, involve employees, implement changes to make savings, monitor results, review and report progress, making appropriate amendments to the plan. This should be an ongoing cycle.

Whilst savings can be made through investment in technology, it is equally important to change behaviours as a result of training managers and staff.

Delivering awareness sessions and involving employees’ decisions will go a long way to helping change behaviours. This could be part of a company’s vision and values and will, of course, become part of the new organisational culture. There should also be an environmental element built into induction and recruitment programmes, which could have a knock on effect of attracting new employees who already have a focus on reducing emissions.

Typical examples of technological changes include: Solar Thermal, Solar Photovoltaic, Wind, Combined Heat and Power, Ground Source Heat Pumps, Rain Water Harvesting and Efficient Lighting Solutions. Dependent on your organisation’s size, many of these can attract Carbon Trust interest free loans, which pay for the equipment. Carrying out an initial survey of your organisation’s offices and buildings will highlight potential areas of savings. These may include operational practice or processes which offer the opportunity for significant savings. It may seem petty asking people off photocopiers, lights and computers at the socket, which only add up to a few KWH per day. However, when multiplied up over a year, this can result in hundreds or thousands of pounds saved.

Working on three principles of strategy, action and review, the Standard has 23 requirements making up a non prescriptive framework for businesses and managers to work to. Copies are available free of charge when attending the awareness events. A commitment certificate and toolkit is available for those working towards the Standard. Successfully assessed organisations receive a certificate and quality logo to use for marketing purposes. Assessment is every two years, offering a non intrusive and cost effective approach to environmental certification.

CFA have ambitious plans to expand their Carbon Action offer around the UK.

Early in 2010, the Standard was launched in London in partnership with CQL Group, and in Yorkshire with YHAL Ltd. There are also plans to have the Standard approved to count towards Early Action Credits as part of the Government’s Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme.

CFA are currently offering a free awareness session for those interested in finding out more.

Visit centreforassessment.co.uk for more details or phone 01925 256650.