June 1, 2011 1.51 pm This story is over 153 months old

Lincolnshire Co-op gets Carbon Trust Standard

Reducing emissions: Lincolnshire Co-operative has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard.

The Lincolnshire Co-operative has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, an award held only by 500 organisations in the UK, after taking action on energy efficiency and climate change.

The Carbon Trust Standard is a non-profit organisation that recognises companies that make real efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Organisations are assessed by carbon emissions and their efforts to reduce them year on year.

Carbon Trust Standard achievers have cut their gas, electricity and fuel bills by over £165 million.

Chief Financial Officer, Steve Galjaard, chair of the Society’s energy group, said: “We’re delighted to have achieved the Carbon Trust Standard.

“We’re committed to continuing to improve our energy efficiency. It has resulted in significant cost savings across our operations as well as environmental benefits.”

Lincolnshire Co-operative buys all its energy from small-scale hydro-electric plants and wind farms as part of a group of businesses. As well as using green energy, the Society has taken a number of steps to cut the amount used across its sites.

To become more energy-efficient, new technologies have been introduced like low-energy LED lighting. At food stores in Skegness, Newark and Witham St Hughs, heat reclamation systems have been installed. These use energy usually wasted in the refrigeration process to keep stores at a comfortable temperature.

PV solar panels have been fitted to the roof of the Lincoln Winning Post petrol station which, over a 25-year period, should save around 85 tonnes of CO2 from being generated.

Carbon Trust Standard General Manager, Harry Morrison, said: “Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof that an organisation has taken genuine action to reduce its impact on climate change. We congratulate Lincolnshire Co-operative on this achievement.”

Source: Lincolnshire Co-operative