CARBON ACTION is all about encouraging organisations to take action to reduce the energy they use, lower their carbon footprint and save money. A simple standard, which is easy to understand and compatible with other quality standards and frameworks
Carbon Action Standard & the Carbon Action Standard Plus
Hardly a week goes by without global warming or carbon emissions hitting the news. With an ever wider array of tips and ideas for emission reduction in business being offered, organisations have identified the need for coherent planned approaches to reducing their carbon emissions.
Centre for Assessment Ltd can offer companies a user friendly approach to cutting emissions, with the development of a specially designed procedural standard (click here for the carbon action standard).
Using the standard as a starting point, companies are able to plan and effect a series of actions that will save carbon emissions and energy, thereby creating cost savings in the process. In addition, the customer's adherence to this standard is capable of being independently verified.
About the Standards
There are two levels of recognition available.
The Carbon Action Standard
The applicant organisation defines what evidence to measure and the reductions in their carbon emissions.
The Carbon Action Standard Plus
The applicant organisation is required to meet an additional set of rules governing the way the indicators are met.
Click here for a copy of the The Carbon Action Standard Rules(1)
The Carbon Action standard was developed to encourage organisations to measure their Carbon Footprint and develop an action plan to reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
The Standard is in three parts, each with a series of indicators
1. Strategy Development and Understanding
2. Taking action to reduce an organisation’s carbon emissions
3. Review and reporting
The Standard is a flexible and easy to use framework that helps organisations to take steps in reducing their carbon footprint.
The Carbon Action Standard Plus is approved by The Environment Agency as acceptable to demonstrate ‘Early Action Metrics’ for the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Scheme).
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme requires all organisations using 6000mwh of electricity or on half hourly meters and all public sector organisations to register no later than September 2010, to report on carbon emissions and buy Carbon Credits.
Carbon Credits cost £12/tonne, resulting in organisations having to pay £40,000+ per year. By achieving The Carbon Action Standard Plus an organisation demonstrates it is taking early action and can receive a discount against the cost of Carbon Credits, thus, achieving substantial financial savings.
Non registration or non-compliance is likely to result in a substantial penalty. We advise that you refer to DECC (Department of Energy Climate Change) or The Environment Agency for the latest discount and penalty information.
Click here to dowload the calculator to test you companies carbon footprint.
The Carbon Action Standard Plus has additional rules around the organisational Carbon Footprint and emissions reduction requirements over and above the base level recognition.
- Reduced Energy Consumption – Those organisations achieving CARBON ACTION reported a reduction in energy consumption and positive direction of travel towards achieving targets for cost reduction.
- Stepping Stone to ISO 14001 – For those who are interested in or required to achieve ISO 14001, CARBON ACTION is an ideal starting point. Talk to organisations who have achieved both and can confirm that they are mutually supportive tools for sustainable business.
- Increased Staff Awareness, Involvement and Commitment – By involving staff by raising awareness of climate change issues and the costs and key contributors to the carbon footprint, organisations are able to influence the hearts and minds of employees, encouraging them to take positive action by powering off and suggesting new ways of saving energy.
- Winning New Business – Some organisations are now asking suppliers to demonstrate carbon reduction as part of their tendering process. Public sector organisations and local authorities are being asked to comply with ‘National Indicators’ (NI 185 and NI 186) which form part of their contract with Government Office. Major retailers such as Tesco, Co-op and Marks and Spencer are now asking their suppliers to have carbon reduction programmes in place.
- Competitive Differentiation – Being seen to be green is a positive strategic move. Many organisations are keen to take action before they are pressed to do so. In line with Corporate Social Responsibility, reducing their environmental impact sets organisations apart from the competition.
Customer Loyalty – As large organisations choose to ‘green their supply chain’, they will continue to contract / purchase from suppliers who demonstrate green credentials.
Starting the journey to become a CARBON ACTION recognised organisation does not have to be difficult; there is help available every step of the way.
We have a wealth of experience in working with organisations of all sectors and sizes and rely heavily on our highly qualified team of Assessors and Advisers to provide you with whatever support you may need to help you achieve your CARBON ACTION status.
Every organisation has different needs and we aim to offer a number of options to help you get started and to work with you along the way, so please choose the one that suits you best.
Here are some options below:
“I’d like to attend an awareness briefing, meet others and ask questions ….”
Attend one of our free places on a CARBON ACTION Workshop. Here you can find out what you need to do from commitment stage to understanding the process and evidence you need.
You also get to meet other organisations, so a chance to network and exchange views, ideas and allay any fears or apprehension you may have.
If this is the route for you then please click here to take you to our workshop dates, venues and details.
“I’d like a CARBON ACTION © Advisor to contact me…”
You can telephone our Customer Services Team on 01925 256650 or e mail us on enquiries@centreforassessment.co.uk or you can click here to fill in an enquiry form (someone will get back to you within 48 hours to progress your enquiry) and a Specialist Adviser will contact you to make an appointment to come and talk you through what is available and explain the whole process and all of the options in more detail.
If none of these options are right for you, just call us on 01925 256650 for an initial discussion about CARBON ACTION and how to get started.
