Carbon Trust has launched a new campaign, ‘One Million A Day’, to organize UK business and help them in saving at least GBP1 million a day through cost effective action on climate change. The main objective of the campaign is to help save the UK economy GBP1 billion over the next three years and reduce the UK’s carbon emissions by at least 17 million tonnes CO2 that is equivalent to annual emissions from heating nearly 5.5 million average UK homes.
The campaign is supported by business groups, leading companies, and Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, all urging business to immediately prioritise cutting carbon by saving energy to cut costs.
Under One Million A Day campaign, the Carbon Trust is influencing businesses of all sizes to join and prioritize actions to kick-start immediate energy savings, reduce carbon emissions and make significant direct costs savings. SMEs are also being encouraged to take advantage of a GBP35 million Carbon Trust fund to upgrade or replace existing equipment to more energy efficient versions using unsecured, interest-free loans ranging from GBP5,000 up to GBP200,000.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband said: “We are no longer choosing between what’s good for business and what’s good for the environment. By taking action now to reduce energy use and cut carbon from our goods and services, British business has the opportunity to not only save money and create jobs, but set us on the path to becoming an innovative low carbon economy.”
The Carbon Trust says most businesses could save up to 20% on energy bills by taking low cost or no cost action on energy efficiency.
Three key areas for immediate action are:
Energy Management – In 2008, UK businesses working with the Carbon Trust implemented energy saving measures including metering and monitoring, staff awareness and setting board level policies to effectively identify opportunities and monitor results, that will save over GBP64 million a year.
Improved Lighting – Installing controls, replacing and upgrading lamps to energy efficient versions and installing motion detectors are a few examples of action that will enable over GBP11 million worth of savings in one year.
Efficient Heating – Upgrading inefficient boilers, installing controls, improving insulation and improving maintenance schedules will lead to savings of over GBP8.5 million a year.
Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust said: “As UK companies look for strategies to weather the recession it makes business sense to join the Carbon Trust campaign to cut costs by cutting carbon. We want to take GBP1 billion off the energy bills of UK plc over the next three years by saving at least GBP1m a day through cutting carbon emissions. All businesses – whether big or small – should realise easy cost savings by taking sensible energy efficiency measures. Every business should be asking how much cash their company can save by cutting carbon.”
Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis said: “Businesses of all sizes need to find ways to cut costs in this economic climate – that’s a fact. But there are ways to save cash without affecting the day to day running of the company and finding ways to reduce energy is one sure-fire way to do this. Whether a business has already made a start in this area or has yet to get going, there is help and support on offer from the Carbon Trust, including interest-free loans for small businesses.”
Neil Bentley, director business environment at the CBI commented: The CBI welcomes these measures to reduce energy consumption, which will save money, increase economic efficiency and cut carbon emissions. We particularly welcome the increase in interest-free loans to small and medium-sized companies, from £50,000 to £200,000, to upgrade or replace equipment to improve energy efficiency. This increase, combined with making the loans easy to access, will make a real difference. Small firms are very important in the quest to cut UK carbon emissions. For example, they account for 45% of the potential to reduce emissions via more energy-efficient buildings, according to The Climate Change Committee.
David Nussbaum, chief executive, WWF-UK commented: WWF-UK supports the Carbon Trust’s ‘One Million A Day’ campaign’ as a first step for businesses to address their wider impacts. We encourage businesses to look also at carbon management across the supply chain, to engage consumers on lower carbon behaviour, and to be progressive in shaping investor and policy makers’ thinking.
Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman, Marks and Spencer said: “Two years into Plan A – our 100 point eco and ethical plan – we know that a sustainable business can be a profitable business. We are already achieving cost savings as we aim to become carbon neutral by 2012, so I encourage businesses up and down the country to take part in the Carbon Trust’s ‘One Million a Day’ campaign.”
John Sauven, executive director, Greenpeace UK commented: “The costs of not dealing with climate change will be far higher than combating it. Even with the difficulties created by the current economic crisis we need to stay focused on creating a low carbon economy. The collision of the credit crunch and the climate crunch needs to be turned into an opportunity to create a greener economy with more green jobs.”
Miles Templeman, director-general of the IoD said: “Although we are aware that many businesses are trying to address energy efficiency, the current financial situation is proving extremely challenging but there is no doubt that businesses can reduce their operating costs through investments in energy efficiency. It is important that at this time businesses should maintain their focus on energy efficiency to cut costs and carbon and the IoD would encourage our members to contact the Carbon Trust for advice and support as soon as possible.”
Salman Amin, president of PepsiCo UK and Ireland, said: We are delighted to support the Carbon Trust’s £1 Million a Day Campaign. This timely initiative will be instrumental in reducing UK carbon emissions and the associated costs to businesses. At PepsiCo UK we have already made some considerable cost savings across a number of our environmental sustainability initiatives. For example, we’re reusing starch generated from slicing and washing potatoes and we’ve partnered with suppliers and customers to cut road miles significantly. As a responsible business we welcome the opportunity to continue working in partnership with the Carbon Trust to identify new ways to save carbon and cut costs too.
Sally Uren, director of business programme forum for the future commented: “A full frontal assault on climate change in a recession makes perfect sense for two reasons. Firstly, cutting carbon cuts costs and may ease short-term pain. Secondly, and of equal importance, those businesses that shift to low carbon technologies and products will be much better placed to succeed in the post-recession world, in which the credit crunch might have eased, but the climate crunch will be taking a firm grip. Cutting carbon now, along with tackling broader sustainability issues, will help guarantee profitability not just for today, but also for tomorrow.”
Steve Howard, CEO, The Climate Group commented: “During a recession, it’s really important that businesses pick the low-hanging fruit. Focusing on energy efficiency is just one such example – put a small amount in and see huge savings in the long-term. The Carbon Trust is encouraging a win-win situation for UK businesses and the climate with this new initiative.”
Stephen Howard, chief executive, business in the community, which convenes the Prince’s May Day Network said: “It’s more important than ever that businesses are committed to tackling the critical issue of climate change. Not only is it good for the planet, but it brings real business benefits. Being more energy efficient can achieve immediate cost savings and SMEs should be encouraged to take advantage of the funds available from the Carbon Trust. Those businesses that start to invest in the move towards a low carbon economy, and the technology and skills that this will require, will be rewarded in the long term.”