ENERGY
BSI SHOWS THAT CUTTING CARBON IS THE WAY FORWARD
corporate activities delivered from this office, the project team focused on the following areas: consumption of utilities including gas and electricity; emission of refrigerant gases; and extent of travel (private vehicles, hire cars, trains, taxis, air travel) and hotel accommodation. This was a significant undertaking. However by identifying base-line data, BSI was then able to separate out the overall consumptions in order to develop targets and objectives for carbon reduction.
.emissions generated by the organisation and thus to reduce energy costs. The release of CO2
delivery of its services. The ultimate aim of this activity is to minimise the impact of CO2
F contributes to
environmental impact and with businesses being a key cause of these emissions, a precautionary approach should be taken to minimise such activity before irreversible damage occurs.
Businesses generally contribute to the increase in CO2
emissions through the
consumption of fossil fuels for transport and office heating (direct emissions) and through the consumption of electricity; 80 per cent of which is generated in power stations that consume fossil fuels (indirect emissions).
In order to measure the carbon footprint associated with the operational delivery of its services, BSI had to complete detailed calculations across a spectrum of activities. This required detailed analysis targeted across two key areas; office and field based activities. BSI has an office based workforce of over 140 at its Milton Keynes site. To measure the carbon footprint of the
or a number of years BSI has been working in partnership with the Carbon Neutral Company to measure and monitor the carbon footprint associated with the
With over 250 BSI auditors carrying out assessments across the UK, field based activities were also a key part of the analysis. The following elements were measured and included: company cars (petrol and diesel) involved primarily in the delivery of assessments across the UK; hire cars and taxis; air and rail travel; and once again hotel accommodation. Although a daunting task at the outset, such analysis provided BSI with both a valuable understanding of where the company stood with regard to its impact on the environment as well as a platform on which to introduce new initiatives to reduce CO2
emissions.
John Lee, head of certification at BSI explains, “BSI first calculated its carbon footprint in 2006 (using 2005 data). Since that time a number of initiatives have been put in to place to reduce the impact on the environment and reduce the company’s carbon footprint. It should be noted that a total reduction of 450 tonnes CO2
has now been achieved since 2005. If looked at in isolation, this in itself is a very significant achievement, however perhaps more impressive are the results which lie behind the headline figure. It’s important to look in more detail to figure and analyse just how it has been achieved”.
BSI’s significant reduction in overall carbon emissions is mostly attributable to a corporate push in 2009 to reduce assessor travel time using a software programme to match a client with a suitable and locally-based auditor. Since its introduction the project has reduced annual staff mileage by approximately 250,000 miles and hotel stays by eight per cent on the previous year.
36| SUSTAINABLE FM | OCTOBER 2010
emissions relating to company car travel have also decreased by 31 per cent on last year. In addition, BSI revised its company car policy and now only offers company cars with emissions of less than 160gCO2
CO2 /km. “Our goal at BSI is to advise
organisations on best practice approaches when it comes to sustainability,” says Victoria Barron, product marketing manager at BSI. “That’s why it is crucial that we too put measures and targets in place to minimise our own environmental impact and fundamentally practice what we preach. We believe this impressive result demonstrates an ongoing commitment to staff, customers and stakeholders alike and is key to developing a more sustainable business. “I think it’s important to identify the benefits associated with reducing our carbon footprint. Whilst all organisations are having to deal with the present economic situation, many may be unaware of the financial impact of reducing their carbon footprint. At BSI we have tangible results. By reducing the amount of times our auditors are required to stay overnight in hotels and by reducing the mileage associated with our operations we have significantly reduced the costs associated with service delivery”.
BSI recognises that despite these achievements there is a need for continual improvement. The company has an ongoing work programme to identify targets for reduction and continue to search for ways to make a positive contribution in this area. Although it is
impossible to completely eliminate CO2 emissions, BSI recognises the value that carbon offsetting can have in helping to reduce the company’s overall impact on the environment as well as its bottom line. BSI has also enlisted the help of the Carbon Neutral Company to manage and obtain offset credits on their behalf and the projects will be a mix of carbon sequestration through tree planting and carbon reduction through work in developing countries. The mix of projects may alter during 2010 based on what will give maximum benefit within the agreed framework.
www.bsigroup.co.uk
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