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Issue No. 23 Contents
31 October 2007

. Q&A - Interview with a low carbon leader:

- David Croft, Global Director for Conformance and Sustainability, Cadbury Schweppes

. Network case studies - best practice and lessons learned:

- Tesco
- Rix Petroleum
- United Hospital Trust
- Green Tomato Cars

. Low Carbon Innovation Exchange:

- Another tremendous success!

. Best Practice Tips - easy ways to reduce carbon:

- Everyday advice from the experts on saving energy.

 

David joined Cadbury Schweppes in 2005 initially as Director of Ethical Sourcing. He reports to the company's President of Global Supply Chain (GSC), which ensures the supply of products to satisfy customers' expectations, whether manufactured by the company or a third party. GSC's role includes the supply of raw and packaging materials, planning, manufacturing, distribution and customer services. He holds and MBA and MSC in Environmental Science. David, who previously worked for the Co-Operative Group in ethical sourcing and technical quality, spoke to Mel Poluck.

What are the key ingredients of a successful low carbon initiative in your sector?

"It's a question of addressing the basics of energy use and finding simple ways of reducing usage - challenging current ways of working - while also being alive to the need to develop and implement new approaches for the future."

How is Cadbury Schweppes reducing its carbon footprint?

"We've set ourselves a goal of 50% carbon reduction, with absolute reductions within that and minimal reliance on offsetting, so we have to make progress in number of areas.

"We have a range of projects underway, including creating savings from the use of packaging material, to installing alternative energy sources in two new developments using biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Improving transport efficiencies is an ongoing aim, while some sites are trialling solar energy. We've also switched energy procurement away from coal fired sources."

What are the biggest challenges you face in your roles and how do you deal with them?

"Often it's a case of showing that alternative approaches to the traditional can be just as effective."

What in your opinion is the most viable, sustainable energy solution?

"It's probably most important to reduce use and reliance on traditional sources in the first instance. Looking forward, I think we'll see more and more options. At the moment we're doing work on solar power in a number of countries. The problem of scale and cost is still a challenge though."

How do you encourage the public and staff to become more environmentally conscious?

"We're developing strong awareness within our staff teams, and they're now coming up with ideas, anything from creating biofuel from waste, through to basic energy-saving activity. The spirit we've seen has been great and the ideas really encouraging.

"We're working hard to give our programmes a higher profile, both internally and externally, and we'll make the successes really visible - we have to show how we put things into practice. There will always be some tough nuts to crack. The trick is to identify all of the benefits, sometimes difficult if they're a little intangible, and then focus attention on those."

What emerging trends do you predict?

"Even greater consumer and policy focus on these issues."

What is your personal, proudest "green" achievement?

"Getting home composting really working in my garden to minimise household waste and persuading my boss that hybrid cars, like mine, are just as effective as others."

What future initiatives to reduce carbon is Cadbury Schweppes planning?

"We have energy saving programmes beginning in our manufacturing sites and this will make a big difference to the overall footprint, and we're also talking to our suppliers to think through priorities there. This includes dairy suppliers and how we can work with the farmers who provide our milk.

"Our target of 50% reduction is challenging and one that we're motivating teams globally to address. The appetite to address this that I've already seen is fantastic and I draw a lot of confidence from this as we develop specific projects."

What advice would you give to someone starting out in a similar role to yours?

"Be open-minded, often solutions come from the less obvious sources and you need to look widely to help achieve goals."

Please send any questions you have for future "Q&A" interviewees to: Mel Poluck, Editor at: mel@carbon-innovation.com .

Tesco Carbon Labelling Trial Aims To Show Individual Products' Footprint

Supermarket giant Tesco has never underestimated the task of reducing carbon, of which it is responsible for emitting a whopping 4.1 million tonnes annually. In the company's own words: "this is an economy in which human comfort, activity and growth are inextricably linked with emitting carbon. Transforming it into one that can thrive without depending on carbon is a monumental challenge."

Read the full story on the Forum here

Rix Petroleum Green Fuel 'Loyalty' Card Saves Carbon But Careful Marketing Is Needed

A novel fuel 'loyalty' card allowing drivers of commercial vehicles to buy greener fuel and measure and verify their carbon savings has been launched by family-owned fuel distribution firm Rix BioDiesel, a division of Rix Petroleum, based in Hull.

Read the full story on the Forum here

Propped Up By the Wind: A Carbon and Cost Saving Turbine in Antrim

The Northern Health & Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland comprises of 8 major hospitals and several community sites. These sites serve a total population of 440,000 in both rural and suburban communities. In 2002 one of these sites, the Antrim Area Hospital, put in an application to construct a wind turbine that would save both energy and money. This article follows the project and aims to provide information to all those considering the use of turbine technology within their own organisation.

Read the full story on the Forum here

Filling the Void: Green Tomato Cars

Green Tomato Cars was established as two businessmen passionate about reducing the effects of climate change saw a breach that needed filling. The company runs an executive car service in West London that provides customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint without having to sacrifice good value and quality. We speak to Tom Pakenham and Jonny Goldstone, Directors of the company about the measures they have taken to ensure that their activity has minimal impact on the environment.

Read the full story on the Forum here

 



Feedback from the Low Carbon Innovation Exchange, staged last week has once again been tremendously positive.

"The event was extremely well organised and the format adopted was very effective at engaging delegates in discussion and debate."
Robert Lambe, Deputy Managing Director, Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd

"The Low Carbon Innovation Exchange was an excellent event which combined the opportunity to share ideas and experience with other businesses tackling the same issues and find new products and services in one well designed and organised forum."
Caroline Walker, Group Head of CSR & Environmental Affairs, Premier Farnell plc

"From a networking perspective the event was excellent and provided an opportunity to meet one's peers and discuss issues we are all dealing with at the present time."
Mary Blackwell, Environmental Manager, Yorkshire Building Society

"If you want to go to an event where you can talk, listen and exchange ideas on a number of different subjects, then you won't find a better one than this."
Jeff Kirton, Energy Manager, Durham County Council

"It provided a relaxed setting for the free exchange of ideas, experiences and foresight."
Nigel Davies, Manufacturing and Technical Director, Muntons plc

"Great to be part of a group of leaders who are taking the lead by making real carbon reductions across businesses in the UK. Together we can make a difference to the future and sustainability of our lifestyles faster."
Fleur Howard, Communication Officer, Astrolabe

"A useful forum for exchanging ideas and best practice."
Paul Sawko, Group Environmental Manager, Unipart Group of Companies

"An excellent networking concept that should be used as a best-practice model for a wider range of events across the country."
David Openshaw, Head of Engineering Regulatory Strategy, EDF Energy

"Over the past 20 years I have attended an endless number of conferences both as a delegate and as an exhibitor. The Carbon Innovation conference is by far the most worthwhile conference I have attended from both a networking aspect and from an exhibitors' point of view. I, as were others at the event, full of praise for the organisation of the personal agendas and one-on-one meetings. Superb!! Well done!! We will without question be attending in 2008."
Philip Emsley, Director, Green 2020

"Excellent organisation … a networking must for energy people."
Andrew Adams, Estates and Facilities Manager, North Cumbria Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

"The Low Carbon Innovation Exchange events are a truly refreshing change to so many conferences where you simply go to 'listen'. Here your day is filled with a combination of opportunities to interact with new contacts that will genuinely lead to improving your business needs."
Ian Weller, Energy Manager, Sefton MB Council

"The Low Carbon Innovation Exchange event met and exceeded our expectations, brought together key industry suppliers with the decision makers and influencers in the region and provided a wealth of future contacts."
Julian Zambra, Consultant, Proven Energy

"An excellent forum for key people in the industry to meet together and discuss the best ways to move towards a greener IT world. I would recommend any supplier who wants to get face to face with the right people to consider these events."
David Newbould, UK Product Manager, NEC Computers Ltd

"A smörgåsbord of an event. Effective and focussed networking, with a chance to hear it all from current practitioners."
Timothy Gray, Environmental Engineer, Delap & Waller Ltd

"The topics generated a lot of good discussion and open exchange of views, best practice and answers."
Tony Rooke, Environmental Champion, LogicaCMG

"Probably my first wholly satisfactory professional all-day seminar/workshop event. Excellent multi-subject pick-and-choose discussion format cuts the boredom!"
Willy Hoedeman, Energy Manager, University of York

"Excellent event. Superbly organised!"
Simon Smith, Procurement Surveyor, Pennine Housing 2000

"This was without doubt the most well organised event I have ever attended, and as a result was extremely useful for me. I will certainly be attending henceforth."
Toddington Harper, MD, The Low Carbon Economy Ltd

"This was the first Low Carbon Innovation Exchange that I have attended. My only regret is that I did not know what the event would deliver. Had I known then I would have brought along three or four more colleagues."
Des North, Group SHEQ Manager, Premier Farnell plc

So how can you become involved?

1. Suggest a case study:
 Members of the Network who have implemented carbon reduction initiatives within their own organisation are invited to propose a case study for potential publication in this bulletin and inclusion in the programme of discussion groups at a future Exchange event.

2. Join the Innovations Showcase:
If you represent a company providing products and services that can help others reduce their carbon emissions, there are exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities that you might like to consider. For details of the options available, please send an email to sponsorship@carbon-innovation.com

For more information about the Low Carbon Innovation Exchange please click here

Best Practice Tips

Please visit the Forum here and share a tip that you have for organisations to reduce their carbon emissions. Often the very simplest ideas can have the greatest effect:

Do you have colleagues that might be interested in receiving the Bulletin?

As the size of the Network grows, the opportunities to share best practice just get better!

So please encourage others to enrol on this free-to-join Network, for example other climate change champions and those with energy, sustainability, environment, fleet management, information technology, infrastructure development or corporate responsibility remits.

Please forward a copy of this Bulletin to all you think might be interested.

New members can register for the Bulletin here

We are always grateful to receive any comments or feedback that you have with regards to the Bulletin, the Forum, the Exchange or the Network in general.

We would also like to hear from you if you have a case study for the Bulletin or have a topic that you would like to discuss at a future Best Practice Exchange.

Please email any comments or suggestions to mel@carbon-innovation.com


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