Since 2010 we have had an annual audit of all our energy use including car fuel, travel, skips to landfill, and other emissions etc. The raw data is sent to Carbon Earth Ltd who are specialists in interpreting the data. From the data supplied Carbon Earth calculated the Carbon Dioxide or Equivalent Emissions for the year using methodologies established by DEFRA.
Carbon Earth calculates our total Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or equivalent emissions to approximately 270 tonnes in 2017. The definitions change periodically but on a like for like basis our emmissions reduced by 15% compared to the previous year. We have an objective in 2018 to further reduce this amount. This will be done by continuing capital investment in the fabric of our buildings and our continuing programme to replace widows which are of 1920’s construction, with modern double glazed units.
Our buildings are fitted with a state of the art zoned heating system which allows precise control of the heating and avoids wasted energy heating the buildings if no one is there. In the workshops we have fitted electrical cut out switches which will shut off the space heaters whenever the front doors are opened e.g. to load and unload trucks. In addition we have been fitting energy efficient LED lights where practicable to do so. Bearing in mind that the winters in Glasgow can be quite challenging so our energy use is to a large degree deteremine by the severity of the weather, as we have seen last winter.
Our vehicle fleet is continually being replaced with more fuel efficient vehicles and where possible we are replacing all diesel vehicles with electric hybid vehicles.
Of course we continue to recycle extensively and very little goes down the drain or into the atmosphere.
In order to meet our target we have also sponsored the planting of hardwood trees which over the course of their expected lives of 100 years will offset our carbon emissions. Carbon Earth have certified our carbon offset and have provided the grid co-ordinates of the trees concerned. We are pleased to be working with Carbon Earth and sponsor their valuable work.
