Despite the economic downturn twenty four leading public sector
organisations will today take action to reduce their carbon
footprints, which could help to slash more than 25% from their
energy bills over the next five years. The organisations will
join the Carbon Trust in London today as recent research shows that
over 80% of the public sector agrees that carbon reduction projects
will deliver financial benefits.[1]
Participants in the Carbon Trust's service come from local
authorities, the NHS, further and higher education institutions,
central government departments and executive agencies. Over
the next ten months they will be investing in their own carbon
performance and savings. The twenty four organisations will be
following programmes that have been developed by the Carbon Trust
and honed by over ten years of experience working with the public
sector, which has helped to save over 17 million tonnes of
CO2 and £600 million to date. Carbon Trust Chairman,
James Smith, will welcome them all as they gather together at the
University of London to take the first steps to reduce both carbon
emissions and energy bills.
The public sector is responsible for up to 23 million tonnes of
CO2 emissions annually, which carries an associated
energy cost of some £5 billion.[2] The potential for savings is immense, and
the return on investment makes the case for cutting carbon even
more compelling. With the right guidance, and the implementation of
the most cost effective solutions, it is estimated that a capital
investment of £1.5 billion could reduce that annual bill by £500
million, providing payback in as little as three years.[3]
Participants at the launch of the public sector programme.
James Smith, Chairman of the Carbon Trust,
said:
"Climate change means droughts and floods. We should be daunted
by the dangers of climate change. But more so, we should be
invigorated by the economic opportunities in energy efficiency and
new, low carbon energy technologies. The cost benefit equation on
climate change favours action.
"The public sector has a vital role to play in tackling climate
change. The public sector can improve its energy efficiency and use
its buying power to get new, low carbon technologies going more
quickly. On climate change, the public sector can lead by the power
of example. At the Carbon Trust we are proud to be working with
public sector bodies that are so determined to tackle climate
change."
Tim Pryce, Head of Public Sector at the Carbon Trust,
said:
"There is a tremendous opportunity for the public sector to take
their financial futures into their own hands and invest in cost
savings at the same time as realising significant carbon savings.
It is a chance for them to show some entrepreneurial spirit,
boosting their organisational performance, and providing better
value for their services. This is why we welcome the leadership
shown by all of the participants taking part in our programmes this
year.
"The Carbon Trust has a mission to help accelerate the
transition to a low carbon economy. We are very proud to be working
with twenty four public sector bodies who are demonstrating a long
term vision and setting an excellent example to local businesses
and their wider communities. We look to the public sector as a
whole to continue to lead the UK in reducing carbon emissions and
mitigating climate change. There is no doubt that the actions that
these organisations are taking today will help build the foundation
for a more sustainable future."
Gillian Osborne, Finance Director at Hull College,
said:
"We have high expectations that taking part in the Carbon
Management Programme will deliver significant benefits for the
college. Over the next ten months we hope to identify major savings
in our energy bill, and put in place ambitious targets for reducing
our emissions. Perhaps even more importantly, it gives us the
opportunity to engage our 27,000 students, which could have an even
greater impact.
"We have worked very hard to deliver an academic performance
which is rated by Ofsted as 'Grade 1 - Outstanding' and we look
forward to working with the Carbon Trust to deliver an
environmental performance which can match this."
Will Syddall, Sustainability Officer at Guy's and St
Thomas' NHS Trust, said:
"We're looking forward to working with the Carbon Trust again on
their new Collaborative Implementation Service. Guy's and St.
Thomas' were one of the first public sector organisations to join
the Carbon Management Programme in 2006 and it helped us to develop
a strategic approach to carbon management and energy efficiency. It
also laid the groundwork for investment in combined heat and power
at both hospitals, which save us some £1.5 million and 11,000
tonnes of CO2 per year.
"Nonetheless, there is still work to be done and every pound
that is saved on our energy costs is money that can be invested in
patient care. The threat that climate change poses to human health
is well documented and as a leading NHS Trust we feel we have a
responsibility to lead the way in carbon reduction. By working with
the Carbon Trust again we aim to update, reinvigorate and embed our
carbon management plan; find new opportunities to cut carbon
emissions; and prioritise and implement carbon reduction
projects."
Adam Higgin, Energy and Environment Manager at the
University of Bedfordshire, said:
"Investing in carbon management makes a huge amount of sense for
higher education institutions, and the direct environmental and
financial benefits are supplemented by the indirect impact we can
have on Bedfordshire's 1,200 staff and 24,000 students.
"For example, in the past five years the University has invested
some £400,000 in carbon reduction projects, above and beyond the
low and zero carbon technologies put into our new campus buildings,
including the £34m Campus Centre and £40m student accommodation at
the Luton campus.
"Last month the University was given a First Class Award and
ranked 36th out of 145 in the People and Planet Green League 2012 -
a leap of 17 places from last year. We look forward to
continuing our low carbon journey with the help of the Carbon
Trust."
Doug Robinson, Sustainability Team Leader at
Lincolnshire County Council, said:
"Our first five year carbon management plan captured imagination
and commitment across the authority and has enabled us to cut
carbon and costs, with over £1million invested and £350,000 of
annual savings realised.
"We are looking forward to working with the Carbon Trust on
their Carbon Management Revisited programme, taking us on to the
next stage."
Notes to editor
For more information and to speak to a Carbon Trust
spokesperson, please contact the Carbon Trust press office:
Tel no: 0207 544 3100
Email: press@carbontrust.com
About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust are independent experts with a mission to
accelerate the move to a low carbon economy.
We advise businesses, governments and the public sector on their
opportunities in a sustainable, low carbon world.
We measure and certify the environmental footprint of
organisations, supply chains and products.
We help develop and deploy low carbon technologies and
solutions, from energy efficiency to renewable power.
[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/interactive/carbon-reduction
[2] http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate-change/saving-energy-co2/2261-camco-report-public-sector-emissions.pdf
[3] Ibid