Sustainable Bristol

Bristol businesses leading the way on green efficiency

Posted on 13 August 2010

Bristol Water became the 50^th business in August to sign up to a regional initiative that’s helping West of England firms lead the country in tackling climate change.  The West of England Carbon Challenge is the first regional initiative of its kind that brings together businesses and organisations in cutting carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency. 

By signing up to the challenge, Bristol Water joins other businesses in the sub-region demonstrating their leadership in carbon reduction.

Patric Bulmer, Environment Manager at Bristol Water says: “Joining the West of England Carbon Challenge helps us demonstrate that we’re committed to carbon reduction and that we are ready to share our experiences with other organisations in the region. We’re already taking a range of actions, including driver efficiency training with the Energy Saving Trust, where the first person to volunteer was our Chief Executive!”

The West of England Carbon Challenge was founded in Bristol by the UK’s leading sustainable development NGO, Forum for the Future, together with a number of other bodies. Major organisations already signed range from Axa and Avon Fire Service, through the Marriot and North Somerset Council, to the University of the West of England and Wessex Water.  

Organisations sign up to an ambitious but achievable carbon reduction target of at least 10% over four years. The West of England Carbon Challenge, which is free to join, then supports these organisations, helping them to measure, manage and reduce their CO₂ emissions by offering:

• advice and support on carbon reduction strategies from leading environmental organisations;
• regular networking events to showcase best practice and exchange experiences;
• top speakers from across the UK;
• free use of a web-based environmental performance tool to quantify their carbon footprint;
• opportunities to showcase actions and strengthen corporate responsibility.

This unique network, bringing together businesses across the West of England, is free to join for all businesses and organisations with sites in the city-region.

Simon Billing, Sustainability Advisor at Forum for the Future says: “There has been a really exciting response. We have a great deal to be proud of in Bristol. It’s clear that leading companies in the city are serious about improving their environmental performance. This initiative helps support the great work and share the experiences to put the region at the forefront of a new green economy and ahead of Government legislation”.

For more information about the West of England Carbon Challenge, please call Simon Billing 0117  930 7306.