Carbon neutral

Carbon Neutrality by 2012

We aim to have declaration of achievement of carbon neutrality in accordance with PAS 2060 during 2012 with an aim to reduce our carbon intensity by 2.5% by the end of 2012. We are targeting a reduction in our carbon emissions for every pound of turnover, compared to business as usual, by 2014.

Our carbon management plan details reductions from energy improvements to our fixed offices, sites and site offices and a tightening transport policy. The table below shows the range of savings in emissions we are hoping to achieve over the coming years (as percentages).

(Click image to enlarge)

Fixed offices

In 2010 we introduced live energy monitoring with displayed on dashboards in all our fixed offices to show our MDs where the money is going and influence a change in behaviour.

We have also carried out energy audits of our premises, all of which are rented, and produced display energy certificates (DECs) measuring usage. We are currently implementing £250,000 of energy efficiency measures which will be complete by the end of the year.

These include:

• changes to lighting controls
• changes to heating controls
• improvement of windows and building fabric
• power-down devices for photocopiers
• voltage optimisation devices (reducing incoming current to 220V to save money)
• investing in new boilers

Transport

Our company car fleet has been made more efficient with average emissions down from 160g/CO2 / KM in 2007 down to 128g in 2010. This has been helped by introducing a £500 “green car bonus” for employees who chose a low emissions vehicle. This is fed by benefits from reduced capital allowances and corporation tax by having a greater number of fleet vehicles under 160 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Business units are fined if individual employees drive more than 25,000 miles during 2011.

Emissions from our van fleet have been reduced following an investment in "telematics" technology which sends the closest, most qualified person with the best tools to any given job. Emissions are down from 2,556 tonnes CO2 in 2009 to 1,981 in 2010.

Sites and Site Offices

We are introducing remote energy monitoring on large projects to allow us to track energy data day-by-day and, indeed, overnight. For example, we will know if someone has left the lights on. This data will be collected as one of our environmental key performance indicators (eKPIs).

We have also developed a new range of insulated Eco-cabins for our site staff with our supplier, Elliott to replace our Portakabin-type temporary offices which were leaky and ill-treated. Today, our temporary premises are EPC A-rated and include many energy-saving technologies such as PIR lighting controls, time clock controlled heating, T5 lighting and double-glazed windows.