Carbon Footprint Managementin action

Helen Joy

Environmental Consultant

Carbon Footprint is a growing & high profile business - rapidly responding to changing market needs

• Independent & wholly management owned• Based in UK (South East England)• Started as web-based business, Feb 05• First ‘Offset’ product launched, Dec 05• Full time in March 07• Growing core team• Internationally recognised brand by

businesses & consumers• International presence

Conder StructuresBusiness appraisal, reductions and offsets

Reason for contacting CFP• Market pressures -required for tender• Market advantage –green credentials• Corporate Responsibility• Costs

How were Carbon Footprint able to respond?

• Business appraisal of their operations:– Site electricity– Site gas– GHG usage– Business transport– Site fuel consumption

• Appraisal of their external project site emissions

• Inclusion of their outsourced logistics

Conder Structures – a major steel products construction company

Conder Structures cont..

Outcomes of the appraisal:• Provided an overall primary carbon footprint for the company• Identified the key sources of CO2 emissions made by the company – site electricity,

site gas and haulage (although part of their secondary footprint).• Detailed travel results demonstrating particular vehicles with the highest emissions.• Examined the footprint of building projects to provide an estimated project emissions

figure for all projects.• Included haulage figures and onsite figures to work with partners within supply chain.

Conder Structures cont..Conder embraced Carbon Footprint’s appraisal recommendations

– Onsite energy survey• Implemented Dezem real time monitoring equipment to monitor energy and

water consumption• Lighting and Motor Controls surveys completed• Timers installed on additional heating systems and machinery

– Managing the complete lifecycle from design principles through to recycling

– Key advocates for environmental responsibility in their sector –leading a sustainability group within the industry

– Implementing a behavioural change programme that will see significant cost & carbon savings having attending a Carbon Footprint Foundation Course

– Offset to become carbon neutral

– Repeat appraisals – 2007, 2008, current appraisal in progress.

Connaught- Appraisal and operational reductions

Reason for contacting CFPConnaught Environmental needed to make genuine carbon reductions and improve their green credentials to support bids - particularly to meet local authorities’ procurement needs.

How were Carbon Footprint able to respond?Carbon Footprint helped Connaught by appraising their grounds maintenance service at their Hillingdon site , providing

– A full process carbon appraisal of the company’s grounds maintenance service, ( inc energy consumption of the site’s offices & storage accommodation and vehicle fuel consumption)

– An onsite energy survey to identify possible energy saving installations (Fassnidge Depot )

– An assessment of the company’s secondary carbon footprint – including emissions produced by the staff commuting & and suppliers as Connaught wished to influence behaviours of their employees & supply chain

50% carbon reductions & operational practices to achieve this identified  

Connaught cont..– Quantified operational carbon savings of 50% of current emissions & action

plans to achieve• Alterations to management/service practises e.g. Bowling greens – a change in maintenance schedules saved 34% of emissions, time

and money – without affecting the opportunity to play.

• Highlighted areas of excessive carbon spend within contracte.g. Council requested box collected grass cuttings from housing areas20% emission savings could be achieved if left as fly cut.

• Opportunities to change vehicles and fuel typesPotential 50% reduction through use of electric and biodiesel.

• Connaught are now– Evaluating the cost savings of implementing Carbon Footprint’srecommendations

– Looking to roll out carbon appraisals across the broader business

Opportunities for all

• Start with a business appraisal –understand your emissions• Gain company buy in

– Top level sign up– Environmental Policy– Action plan and group

• Identify areas of greatest spend• Identify potential reductions

– Technology– Operations– Day to day behaviour

• Further your impact – supply chain opportunities, sharing and promoting best practise

• Benefit - lower emissions, reputation, bottom line savings.