Sandbag purchases carbon dioxide emission credits from Guy's Hospital

All large energy users within the EU are given carbon dioxide emission allowances (carbon credits) under the mandatory European Emissions Trading Scheme.

Sandbag has purchased 2,000 tonnes worth of carbon dioxide emission credits from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. Through its comprehensive energy saving campaign the Trust has significantly reduced its carbon emissions allowing it to sell unused credits to generate more income for investment in additional energy efficiency projects.

Sandbag is purchasing the credits on behalf of its members and will now cancel them preventing the carbon from entering the atmosphere.

Removing 2000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is equivalent to taking 1000 cars off the road. Sandbag has cancelled the same amount of CO2 as would be emitted heating 750 homes for a year.

In addition, Sandbag members have also supported campaigning work to improve the emissions trading scheme in the EU and internationally.

Bryony Worthington, founder of Sandbag, commented “We are delighted to be buying permits from Guy’s Hospital – we were looking for a partner committed to improving their energy efficiency and Guy’s fits the bill perfectly. By using our members’ money to buy and then cancel the permits, we make sure that the emissions they have saved are kept out of the atmosphere. We think this is a very exciting way for people to take action to tackle climate change.”

Steve McGuire, Director of Capital, Estates and Facilities at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “As one of the largest employers in London, we see it as our commitment to our community to reduce our energy consumption and to do our bit to protect the environment. We are already making great strides towards reducing our carbon footprint and we’re well on the way to exceeding the targets set by the Department of Health and the NHS. The Trust is leading the way in London to become a more sustainable organisation. By investing this money into our energy saving programme we can continue to build on this good work.”

Related categories:  Carbon trading 

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