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The charity making life better by water

We've reduced our carbon footprint

We've been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, a certification that recognises our achievements to reduce our carbon footprint.

The award recognises that we cut emissions by 13.5 per cent between 2012 and 2014, which is equivalent to an annual reduction of around 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

In total we have achieved a 26 per cent reduction in emissions since 2010, exceeding our Carbon Management Plan target of 25 per cent, one year ahead of schedule.

Things we have done to make the improvement include:

  • installing smart meters for electricity in buildings, which monitor electricity usage, and acting on the data produced to reduce consumption
  • improving insulation, installing heating and lighting controls in operational buildings
  • installation of LED lighting in offices
  • vehicle tracking system for commercial vehicles to manage miles driven and speed to reduce fuel consumption. 119,000 less litres of diesel used in 2013/14 than in 2010/11
  • solar power installations, such as those at Caen Hill, that are used to power the pumps that transfer water back up to the top of lock flights
  • variable speed drives installed on pumping stations to reduce energy consumption by giving greater control over the amount of energy that is being used at key times
  • trialling electric vans in Liverpool, a scheme now being extended to Gloucester
  • using video conference technology to reduce business travel

Ian Jarvis, financial controller at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We are delighted our efforts have been recognised by the Carbon Trust. Reducing our carbon footprint is hugely important for the environment, it also saves us money that we can put towards improving the waterways.

"With staff working across 2,000 miles of waterways, managing major infrastructure and property, our footprint has the potential to be high, if it went unchecked. That's why this process has been so important. Cutting it down is something that has been embraced by all our teams and we are continuing to look for opportunities to reduce it further.”

The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company that helps organisations reduce their carbon emissions and become more resource efficient. The Carbon Trust Standard is the leading independent certification of an organisation's carbon impact, with over 1,100 organisations having now been certified around the world.

Awarded to recognise best-practice and real achievements in reduction, the Standard helps organisations to measure, manage and reducetheir environmental impact. More details about the Carbon Trust Standard are available at http://www.carbontrust.com/standard

Last Edited: 19 November 2014

photo of a location on the canals
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