The West of England Carbon Challenge is a network of businesses, NGOs and public sector organisations committed to a 10% reduction in carbon emissions by 2012. Are you based in Bristol or Bath and looking to:
- Save money and reduce energy bills
- Future proof your business
- Demonstrate leadership on climate change
It’s free and easy to join and you can be taking advantage of the online tools and advice today!
Find out more
What is the West of England Carbon Challenge?What is the West of England Carbon Challenge?
The West of England Carbon Challenge supports businesses and organisations in the region to reduce their carbon emissions in line with national targets.
It challenges businesses, public and third sector bodies to commit to making an annual cut in emissions for four years to reach a cumulative total of at least 10% by 2012/13.
Members receive advice, tools and practical support to measure, manage and reduce their CO2 emissions.
Through joining your organisation will:
- Save energy, waste and money through assessment of your carbon usage;
- Future proof your business from rising energy costs and government legislation;
- Demonstrate leadership on tackling climate change, while raising your profile and strengthening reputation;
- Join other regional leaders in putting Bristol & Bath at the forefront of the transition to a prosperous low carbon economy.
What does the challenge offer?What does the Challenge offer?
- Access to cutting edge strategic support on carbon reduction from leading environmental organisations;
- Free use of a web-based environmental performance tool to quantify your carbon footprint;
- Free membership of a network of pioneering organisations sharing best practice, with regular networking events;
- Opportunities to showcase actions and strengthen corporate responsibility.
What are the requirements?What are the requirements?
The West of England Carbon Challenge is open to any organisation that is serious about tackling its carbon emissions, irrespective of size or sector.
There are just two requirements: organisations need to commit to measuring, reducing and reporting their carbon emissions and they need to have one or more sites in the following local authority areas: South Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset, or Bath and North East Somerset.
Who’s involved?Who’s involved?
Forum for the Future is leading the challenge in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy, The Prince’s May Day Network convened by Business in the Community, and GWE Business West.
The Challenge has the generous support of Capgemini, Halcrow, SustainIT Solutions, and University of West of England.
The partners and sponsors join founding members – Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo, Arup and Buro Happold - in forming an expert advisory group who strategically oversee the initiative.
How does it work?How does it work?
The West of England Carbon Challenge focuses on carbon emissions, the most significant of the greenhouse gases. By signing up, members agree to measure energy usage at the sites they identify in the region, which they then submit. They can use a tailor made environmental reporting tool developed by local company SustainIT Solutions to measure and track their carbon emissions.
Members must submit data at least once a year. We actively encourage organisations to gather and monitor their energy data more regularly – ideally on a monthly basis. This will help members understand their current performance, monitor their progress accurately and rectify easily any irregularities in the figures.
As a minimum, members must collect and submit energy data for their sites. For the data to be credible we need at least two thirds – or 67% – of each site’s data to be accurate (not estimated).
This will include:
- Electricity - meter readings or consumption data submitted in kilowatt hours (kWh)
- Gas - meter readings or consumption data submitted in kWh
- Fuel oil, LPG, coal - in tonnes, kilograms, kWh or litres
- Verified emissions – covered by IPPC Directive or by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
