London Fire Brigade (LFB) is one of twelve organisations across England and Scotland to achieve the new Carbon Trust Standard, a certificate launched today (June 24) as the only way for organisations to prove they are tackling climate change and have made genuine reductions in their carbon emissions.
The Standard is the world’s first carbon award that requires an organisation to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint and actually make real reductions year-on-year. It requires organisations to take action themselves by cutting carbon across their own operations and in their supply chain.
By making many of its 112 fire stations and its vehicle fleet greener, the Brigade, which is run by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA), has cut its carbon emissions by 8% over the last three years and by 17% from 1990 levels - well ahead of a London-wide target of 15% by 2010.
The reduction in emissions has saved the Brigade in excess of £350,000 on energy costs, money that is ploughed back into energy efficiency projects.
LFB Energy Manager Ian Shaw said: "We are delighted to be one of the first organisations to receive the new Carbon Trust Standard. Being recognised in this way is a real endorsement of the hard work that has gone into cutting the Brigade's carbon footprint.
"In 2005, LFB became the first UK fire and rescue service to have a solar powered fire station and now at least 40 of our 112 buildings are fitted with sustainable energy sources such as wind turbines and solar panels. Our fleet of 600 vehicles is also greener and meets Low Emission Zone directives on exhaust emissions.
“With the support of more than 7,000 staff across London, the Brigade is cutting energy use and recycling more, including disused fire hose being turned into clothing accessories and furniture. Added to this, the Brigade’s procurement practices are rubbing off on suppliers, who are encouraged to meet the highest environmental standards.”
Tom Delay, CEO of the Carbon Trust added: “We congratulate the London Fire Brigade on being one of the pioneers in achieving the Carbon Trust Standard and challenge others to follow their example and prove that they too are taking tangible steps to fight climate change.”
The Carbon Trust Standard was launched with the support of Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden at an event in London today (June 24).
Note to editors:
For more information about the Carbon Trust Standard and today's launch visit www.carbontruststandard.com
The London Fire Brigade is an award winning organisation for its work on sustainability. In 2007 the organisation won the overall City of London Corporation’s Sustainable City Award and earlier in 2008 won an award at the Heating and Ventilation News awards.
Over the last five years over 90% of the Brigade's frontline operational fleet has been replaced with new, less polluting vehicles. This includes 209 pumping appliances, 20 Fire Rescue Units, 15 Aerial Appliances, nine Command Support Units, six Operational Support Units, six Water Carriers, two Scientific Support Units and six Fire Investigation Units.
The Brigade has also been fitting out fire stations with on site energy generation technology such as Photovoltaic (PV) systems, wind turbines, solar thermal and combined heat and power. To date, nine Photovoltaic, eight Solar Thermal, two wind turbines, 12 CHP schemes, and 18 high efficiency lighting installations are now in place at London fire stations. Improvements are also being made to heating systems and sustainable wool insulation is being used in lofts.
Added to this, the Brigade’s buildings are fuelled by a 100% supply of green electricity and a staff motivation campaign - entitled LFB Green - designed to further reduce energy and water usage and recruit green champions at each site to spread the green message to staff.
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
