Scottish Environment Protection Agency aims to reduce its carbon dioxide emission by 25%

Launched in 2003, the Carbon Management Programme is designed to deliver improved energy management of buildings, vehicle fleets, street lighting and landfill sites. The programme is supported by a bespoke toolkit – a web based manual that gives detailed guidance on the programme’s process and technical advice. It also facilitates the sharing of best practice between participants, enabling them to learn from each other’s experience, thereby optimising results.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is currently working towards a target of reducing its carbon dioxide emission by 25% or 714 tonnes of CO2 by 2012, delivering an energy bill reduction of approximately £62,000 per year, following the successful completion of the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management Programme.

SEPA is one of 14 public sector organisations in Scotland which graduated from the fifth phase of the Carbon Management Programme in Edinburgh, on 14 May. Including the 12 organisations from previous years, this brings the total number of organisations, including local authorities, universities and NHS boards, which have already completed the programme to 26. Collectively they have identified a total opportunity to reduce emissions by over a quarter of a million tonnes of CO2, reducing their energy bills by £20 million.

The 12 earlier participants are experiencing success in implementing their plans and have so far collectively reduced their emissions by 65,000 tonnes of CO2, with an associated energy bill reduction of £5m.

For a further 23 organisations the event will mark the commencement of their participation in the sixth phase of the programme. The programme is designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework to deliver carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints over a five to ten year period.

Neil McCallum, Head of Procurement, Facilities and Estates at SEPA commented: “We recognise that we occupy a unique position in respect of care for the environment and are committed to integrating high standards of environmental responsibility into all of our operations. SEPA measures its energy consumption and set targets to minimise its use, which includes strategies promoting recycling, the use of public transport by its employees, encouraging staff to conduct their operations in an environmentally responsible manner, and asking suppliers to demonstrate their commitment to environmental best practice. We will continue to work with the Scottish Government and Scottish Industry to promote mitigation and adaption to counter the effects of climate change.”

John Stocks, Manager, Carbon Trust Scotland, commented: “The financial and environmental incentives to cut carbon are clear. The good news is that through the Carbon Management Programme, energy can become a controllable overhead for organisations. Implementing good carbon management can lead to significant cash savings. As well as releasing funds which can be better spent on resources and services for local residents, this will enable organisations to cut carbon emissions and improve their reputation within the community.”

Related categories:  Climate change and global warming   Environmental technologies for offices and commercial   Pollution control technologies 

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