London’s burning carbon - but not if the capital’s fire brigade has anything to do with it

The Times
March 24, 2009
By involving all employees, companies like First Direct can make big reductions and motivate staff at the same time
David Robertson

Surviving the recession may have become the top priority for business this year, but many companies still see carbon reduction as their principal long-term goal.
There remain good economic reasons for chief executives to promote carbon reduction, since lower energy bills are an obvious way to make savings at a time when everybody is looking to cut costs. For example, the 65 companies that have attained the Carbon Trust Standard, an award for carbon reduction, have saved £73 million a year through lower energy bills.
The London Fire Brigade estimates that it saved £250,000 last year by cutting emissions, which it has done by introducing a number of ideas, such as sensors that switch off lights when a room is not in use.
“That means when firefighters get called out to a job they don’t have to worry about stopping to turn off a light,” a spokesman said. “This has drastically reduced our carbon footprint.”
The Brigade has also found a company that will recycle its old water hoses, turning them into handbags and belts.
First Direct, the bank, has used technology to cut emissions. It has installed a software program that shuts down any computer not logged on after 7pm and, with more than 3,000 terminals in its Leeds call centre, this is expected to translate into significant energy savings.
The bank, which is owned by HSBC, has also installed solar panels on its roof to provide energy for its onsite crèche – Europe’s largest, with 350 children. This and other measures have saved the bank £200,000 a year on its energy bill. Matt Colebrook, chief executive of First Direct, said: “We believe that if a company behaves ethically and responsibly, it is better able to deliver profits growth. It also gives our people a sense of belonging and keeps them within our family.”
However, companies cannot merely rely on technology to cut emissions. Employee interaction remains vital to changing work habits and introducing new ideas that can cut a company’s carbon footprint.
Both First Direct and the London Fire Brigade have “carbon champions” among their staff who recommend ideas to management and promote change at a local level. These champions are the front line in ensuring that schemes to cut emissions are actually adopted on the shop floor.
At First Direct, this includes promoting the use of an innovative car-sharing database on the company’s intranet. This site allows employees who may have different shift patterns to find a ride from someone else in their neighbourhood.
Mr Colebrook said that it had not been difficult to engage staff in helping to reduce the company’s carbon emissions. “We have brought a different set of values to running this business,” he said. “People always respond here, it is a blessing for me.”
Harry Morrison, general manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, said: “By involving all employees, companies can make major reductions – and this can be highly motivating for staff as well. Communicating these successes externally can also have a positive impact on customer perceptions.”
There are technological solutions to cutting carbon emissions but, ultimately, habits have to change in the workplace for real progress to be made and that means encouraging employees to take responsibility for carbon reduction themselves.