Environment
Support
Energy and carbon
Workplace Law’s environmental practice advises clients on all aspects of energy and carbon management, from both a compliance and a resource-efficiency perspective.
In December 2011 the UK Government set out its Carbon Plan outlining how it intends to meet its commitment to reduce greenhouses gases by 80% by at least 2050, against a 1990 baseline. As part of this several pieces of legislation, including the Carbon Reduction Commitment and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, have already been put into place to ensure business can make these targets.
Furthermore, every organisation should be looking to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint to reduce costs, its environmental impact and improve its image with its stakeholders. There may also be a requirement to reduce carbon emissions as part of an environmental management plan or as corporate sustainability targets that have to be reported on.
The UK Carbon Plan sets out its expectations for carbon management:
“In 2009, 37% of UK emissions were produced from heating and powering homes and buildings. By 2050, all buildings will need to have an emissions footprint close to zero. Buildings will need to become better insulated, use more energy-efficient products and obtain their heating from low carbon sources.”
An organisation can generate carbon emissions through three pathways:
- Scope 1 emissions: those directly produced by the organisation (such as through the on-site consumption of natural gas).
- Scope 2 emissions: those carbon emissions produced offsite but for energy used onsite – such as for purchased electricity, steam and heat.
- Scope 3 emissions: other indirect emissions such as the extraction and production materials, and fuels (embodied carbon), emissions from transportation related to the organisation, outsourced activities and waste disposal.
Workplace Law can help you map carbon output in your organisation, help you reduce your carbon footprint, and comply with energy efficiency regulations.
We can also provide carbon footprinting services in line with Standard PAS 2050.
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC, formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment) is a mandatory programme that aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide in large public and private sector organisations. As a participant you are required to monitor emissions and purchase allowances, initially sold by the Government, for each tonne of carbon dioxide emitted; hence there is a direct incentive to reduce emissions.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations is the main legislative instrument at European Union level to improve building energy performance. The Directive requires that Member States must apply minimum energy performance requirements for new and existing buildings, energy performance certification and the inspection of boilers and air conditioning systems in buildings. Organisations not registering as participants can face fines of £5,000 plus a further £500 for each subsequent working day of delay, up to a maximum of 80 working days, and have details of their non-compliance published.
Workplace Law provides support to clients by advising on carbon management, providing monitoring and targeting services and identifying ways in which carbon emissions can be reduced.
Through managing environmental risk we ultimately help you to improve margins, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness.
Benefits
- Identify and reduce carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases in your organisation.
- Understand and comply with the requirements of carbon-related legislation, such as the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
- Improve sustainability performance and communicate green credentials internally and externally.
- Reduce costs associated with carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Case studies
In 2012 Workplace Law was asked to develop and deliver a property management-focused sustainability training course for BNP Paribas Real Estate UK. This is a branch of BNP Paribas bank, which provides a number of property services including development, management and investment of property portfolios across the UK.
Workplace Law was appointed in the final quarter of 2012 to assist Shelter with the implementation of an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). Shelter wished to reduce its environmental impact, secure funding and make operational cost savings.
"In 2009 Chaps Ltd recognised that it needed to improve its health and safety systems. We changed our Health and Safety consultants to Workplace Law in order to give us a fresh approach towards our management of health and safety and to gain specialist construction advice.
"By using their expertise and experience Simon and Maria have guided us into developing a health and safety system that has achieved CHAS accreditation and given our customers and principle contractor’s confidence in our management of health and safety. They have always been available to offer advice when needed and to provide independent site inspections and audits which are often required by our customers.
"Both Simon and Maria continue to support Chaps Ltd and have become an important, integral part of our Health and Safety Management System."
Suzanne Jackson, HR Director, Emprise:
“Workplace Law has made a difference to the quality of the service we can provide to our staff. And because of the customised service from Workplace Law, the costs have come down.
“We’re now into the second year and we’re pleased with the level of service which is always turned around quickly with any queries being answered straight away.”
Testimonials
