Although not yet compulsory, a number of companies have voluntarily been auditing and reporting on their carbon emissions, and many companies are seeing the benefits, a report commissioned by the government has revealed.
The Green Village News for the ‘Companies and Organisations’ Category
Voluntary Reporting on Carbon Emissions Yields Positive Results
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010United Utilities Eco-Scheme Saves Ancient Oak Trees
Monday, November 29th, 2010
Dingle Wood, a woodland near to Ridgegate Reservoir, Macclesfield, has many ancient oak trees that are hundreds of years old which were in danger of overcrowded by beech trees growing within the wood. United Utilities, however, have come to the rescue with a conservation scheme that has enabled space to be created around the oak trees giving them room to grow.
flooringsupplies.co.uk Receive FSC Accreditation
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
Online flooring retailer flooringsupplies.co.uk have received an FSC accreditation which enables the company to use the well known FSC logo on a number of their engineered wood flooring products following chain-of-custody certification by SGS. SGS is a company providing verification and certification services to ensure particular requirements and standards regarding safety, performance and quality are met.
Chain-of-custody certification means that every step of the production process for the flooring materials bearing the FSC logo has to meet strict standards, with certified members involved at each stage. Every member of the teams involved in processing, distrubution, manufacturing and sourcing of the raw materials used to make the flooring has to undergo rigorous audits before the accreditation from the Forest Stewardship Council can be granted.
The products available from flooringsupplies.co.uk fall into two FSC classifications depending on the source of the wood content in the flooring – 100% certification and mixed sources. 100% FSC certification flooring products are manufactured from wood sourced entirely from forests with FSC certification. Mixed source certification wood products are made from responsibly source wood using virgin material that is FSC certified, from sources that are either reclaimed, or are certified or controlled by the FSC.
Flooringsupplies.co.uk believe that their industry needs to take responsibility for the environmental impact that it can have if manufacturing processes are not sustainable. The mindset and philosophy of the company focuses on increasing awareness among their customers and suppliers about environmental issues through promotion and education. Adrian Lee said,
“We are very proud to achieve this status and feel it’s important for all wood flooring manufacturers and suppliers to consider our environmental responsibilities, and to do our utmost to ensure we all commit to adhering to the values that FSC work so hard to protect.”
Choosing environmentally friendly flooring materials when redecorating or renovating your home is an important way of helping green companies and businesses, and also helps reduce the carbon footprint of your home. Increased demand for engineered wood flooring has already proved to have a positive effect on the environment as more trees are being planted than those being harvested for production of flooring. Therefore if you’re looking for flooring for your home, choosing the greener option such as FSC wood flooring is the best way to reduce the environmental impact of your redecorating project.
BP Oil Leak Stopped With ‘Top Kill’ Method
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Five weeks into the oil leak caused by an explosion at a BP oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and a number of unsuccessful attempts at plugging the holes in the pipework later, BP’s latest solution, ‘top kill’, has managed to stop the flow of oil and natural gas.
Although the mission has not yet been declared an official success, the signs are positive that this could be the solution BP has been praying for since the rig and pipework began leaking thousands of barrels of oil every day, all heading towards the coastline causing damage to eco-systems and wildlife in what is being called Barack Obama’s Hurricane Katrina.
Light Emitting Wallpaper Could Help Cut Carbon Emissions
Monday, January 11th, 2010
A revolutionary new product from organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology company, LOMOX, based in St Asaph, North Wales, could replace the light bulb. OLEDs provide a low energy light source that can be used as part of flat panel displays and provide low energy lighting solutions, and LOMOX’s latest innovation could revolutionise interior lighting, integrating OLEDs into wallpaper.
The Observer Ethical Awards 2010 Launched in Conjunction With Ecover
Sunday, January 10th, 2010
The fifth year of The Observer Ethical Awards launches today and will give recognition to green projects and people for their involvement in ethical initiatives throughout the past 12 months. (more…)
Stoke-on-Trent Becomes The First City To Sign Up To 10:10
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
If you’ve not heard of 10:10, the campaign to cut carbon emissions by 10% in 2010, then listen up. The campaign is open to anybody, from organisations to individuals, businesses to charities, who want to make a commitment to reduce their carbon footprints and help in the fight against runaway climate change and aims to unite everybody in a communal effort to cut carbon.
Ecotricity Hopes To Supply Green Gas To Half Of The UK Domestic Market
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Ecotricity, the UK’s first green electricity supplier, has been researching the feasibility of supplying green biogas to the UK domestic market. From their results, plus their market research, they have announced that they hope to become Britain’s first green gas supplier too.
Green gas or ‘biogas’ is captured from rotting food waste which would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. It is estimated that about 18 million tonnes of food waste is generated each year in the UK; a figure which Ecotricity would expect to supply up to 700,000 homes.
Environment Agency To Integrate Carbon Emission Reducing VPO Technology
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Further to a trial in 8 of their buildings, the Environment Agency will install Voltage Power Optimisation technology in a further 33 of its buildings in a bid to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions. The trial resulted in a saving of between 10%-18% of the buildings’ electricity consumption, which is the equivalent of 281 tonnes of carbon.
Voltage Power Optimisation (VPO) works by reducing the voltage of the incoming electricity to reduce energy wastage. Most appliances work fine at 200 volts, however the voltage of electricity entering our homes is usually between 207 and 253 volts. This additional electricity is often wasted as heat, therefore by reducing the voltage, considerable savings in electricity consumption and, as a result, carbon emissions and energy bills can be achieved.
Green Groups Set To Take RBS And The Treasury To Court Over Unethical Investments
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
In potentially the first case of it’s kind, RBS and the Treasury could face court action for investing in carbon-intensive industries including coal, oil and gas as well as environmentally destuctive mining.
The environmental groups involved in bringing about the hearing today include People and Planet, the World Development Movement and Platform. The conclusion of the hearing could lead to green groups having a case with which to sue the bank and the Treasury.
