NIFRS joined 37 other organisations at a graduation ceremony in Edinburgh marking the end of the eighth phase of the highly regarded programme.

Dr Doros Michail, Director of Planning and Corporate Affairs, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who represented NIFRS at the graduation ceremony said: "As a public service we believe in leading by example and doing what we can to reduce any adverse impact on the environment. Good environmental performance also makes good business sense and it has never been more important to look at ways of reducing our carbon emissions so that in the long run we can deliver real and lasting financial savings. The Carbon Trust Carbon Management Programme has been invaluable in helping us create our own Carbon Management Plan.

"Through our Carbon Management Plan 2011/16, our target is to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent from the 2008/09 baseline, which will give potential cost savings of £1 million by 2016 and a cumulative five year carbon saving of 4,800 tCO2. This will be realised through a range of projects including reduction of oil, gas and electricity consumption on all our sites, travel and increased staff awareness and participation."

Congratulating those who graduated Paul Wedgwood, Manager at the Carbon Trust Scotland, said: "The dedication shown by the 2011 public sector cohort has been second to none. All the organisations involved have recognised the need to take action on climate change and make energy savings, particularly at this fiscally challenging time. They are planning to make significant changes to reduce their carbon emissions and, as a consequence, energy spend."

The Carbon Management Programme is designed to help organisations develop a targeted framework to deliver energy saving and carbon reduction practices by establishing their current baseline CO2 emissions, assessing the risks and opportunities posed by climate change, and developing a robust strategy to reduce carbon footprints and save money on their energy bills over a five- to ten-year period.

The programme aims to improve the management of buildings energy use, vehicle fleets, street lighting and recycling of waste. The programme is supported by a bespoke toolkit and also facilitates the sharing of best practice between participant organisations, enabling them to learn from each other's experience.

 

Posted: 14.16, 01.07.11, rachael.haydon@pavpub.com