Greenwashers beware, only emission cutters will clean up

Published Date: 16 November 2008
John Stocks, manager of the Carbon Trust in Scotland, explains how caring about environmental issues can save firms money

RESEARCH undertaken by the Carbon Trust has revealed that few consumers understand commitments made by businesses to climate change, while many are sceptical about business action and are simply sick of hearing green pledges made for publicity purposes. Until now there hasn't been a standard that defines good practice or clearly distinguishes organisations which are tackling climate change by actually reducing their carbon footprint. The Carbon Trust Standard, which has recently launched in Edinburgh, is the world's first certification scheme and shows that an organisation has taken genuine action on climate change by measuring, managing and reducing its carbon footprint and is actually making real reductions year on year. In order to combat scepticism, the Carbon Trust Standard has been designed to provide a much-needed clear and robust definition of good practice.Unlike those companies that claim to be tackling issues of climate change but are essentially just 'greenwashing', the Carbon Trust Standard gives companies and organisations that are genuinely committed to making a difference a way to prove it. To be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, organisations must show more than just good intent through a carefully crafted policy document. Businesses must demonstrate from base data, such as energy bills and production returns, that over the previous two years their carbon intensity has been cut.Although many companies taking measures to cut carbon emissions may well be doing so to appease a public demanding change, most recognise that by cutting carbon and becoming more energy efficient, they can make great cost savings.Earlier this month, seven high-profile Scottish organisations were awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, collectively having made savings of over 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum, equivalent to the emissions produced by heating 6,421 homes.Those honoured were: Diageo Scotland Supply, Fife Council, FIS Chemicals, Hewlett-Packard, LifeScan Scotland, Scottish Court Services and the University of Edinburgh following in the footsteps of DSM Nutritional Products' site in Dalry, which received the certification earlier in the year. Diageo, the world's biggest drinks company, which produces brands such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Gordon's, is investing £65m in a bio-energy facility at its Cameronbridge Distillery in Fife. It is believed to be the biggest single investment in renewable energy by a non-utility company in the UK and the facility is expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 56,000 tonnes a year. There is a strong business case for the Carbon Trust Standard. Research undertaken among senior business decision makers revealed that almost a third (28%) said they were more likely to choose a supplier that was able to demonstrate it was taking action to reduce its emissions through official certification. In addition, research undertaken among UK consumers revealed that more than half would be more likely to buy a product or service over another of similar quality and price if it could show it had reduced its emissions.The Carbon Trust itself is also instrumental in offering advice and guidance to companies in order that they can reduce their emissions and be in a position to get Carbon Trust Standard certification. A number of initiatives have been launched to help businesses do so, and ultimately save themselves money.The Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme, designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework to deliver carbon reduction practices, has helped more than 26 organisations across Scotland identify an opportunity to reduce emissions by over a quarter of a million tonnes of CO2, equating to £20m in energy bills. In addition, we offer a wide range of technical support, site surveys and design advice to give organisations the knowledge and understanding to make a difference to their sites' performance, and make improvements that will lead to bottom-line benefits.In Scotland we have helped more than 450 customers to identify and implement record levels of carbon savings, reducing annual emissions of up to 277,000 tonnes of CO2, equating to bottom line savings of around £29m. Today, businesses account for more than 40% of overall UK carbon emissions, and pressure from customers, investors and stakeholders to take action is on the rise.