Bradford & Bingley plc go carbon neutral

Bradford & Bingley have become one of the first FTSE 100 companies to announce that they are carbon neutral.

Being ‘this green’ is definitely good for business. 20 per cent of Bradford & Bingley shares are owned by ethical investment funds, money is saved through green tax exemptions and Bradford & Bingley has a positive business reputation.

Mike HammondCSR Manager

Bradford & Bingley tackled their impact on the environment by implementing a campaign to minimise their impact on the environment in 2004. Now in 2007, they are carbon neutral.

Processes

In 2005 Bradford & Bingley made three departments carbon neutral and by 2007 all departments are compliant. They extended their environmental commitment to insurance customers with a scheme to offset 0.9 tonnes of carbon for every insurance policy purchased. Environmental tips were also offered to customers.

Renegotiating their electricity contract to 100 per cent renewable energy sources, the company reduced its carbon emissions by 70 per cent . They also saved money through their exemption from the climate change levy.

With staff, they established initiatives particularly encouraging staff to limit their use of personal cars, including:

  •  Car sharing
  • Subsidised bike purchase
  • Staff showers
  • Shuttle bus to and from the train station
  • Lunchtime shuttle bus
  • Shuttle bus operating between the main Bingley offices
  • Energy conservation tips for staff.

Impact

  • Decrease in car journeys
  • 100 per cent of waste recycled
  • 70 per cent decrease in CO2 emissions
  • 100 per cent paper used is from sustainable forests
  • Environment programme supported by senior management and staff
  • Collaboration with external partners including Edinburgh Centre for Climate Management (ECCM), Carbon Neutral Company and the Carbon Trust
  • Offsetting of remaining emissions has cost around £150,000

See also

Documents

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