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A Successful Low Carbon Breakfast

Representatives from over 50 local businesses met in the Town Hall on 4 March to find out about ways to reduce their carbon footprint, save money and enhance their reputation as responsible traders caring for the environment.

The Low Carbon Breakfast event was organised by Oxford City Council in partnership with the Carbon Trust and Business Link.

Businesses heard from the Midcounties Co-operative and environmental printers Seacourt on the realities and benefits of reducing carbon emissions. They also heard from Oxford Brookes University's Environmental Information Exchange on energy auditing.

Councillor John Goddard, Leader of Oxford City Council, says: “This event was a landmark occasion for creating climate change awareness amongst businesses in the city.

“The City Council has taken a leading role in tackling this issue and by working with the business community in Oxford, we can make a positive impact on our environment.”

 

Tom Cumberlege, Public Sector Manager from the Carbon Trust, says: “The Carbon Trust is delighted that Oxford City Council is leading by example by first reducing its own carbon emissions and then taking the experience learned to engage with local businesses and share knowledge.

“This creates a real feeling of collaboration on a local level and encourages other organisations to take advantage of the support and guidance available to take action on carbon.”

Tracy Walker, Business Development Director at the Big Oxford Computer Co. Ltd., said of the event: "The overall presentations were extremely interesting and informative. The event will certainly encourage us to take another look at our energy efficiency and internal company policies."

Hannah Unia, Office Manager from Turpin Miller Solicitors says that as a result of the event, she will: “Conduct an energy audit, make an action plan and make staff aware.“

You can access the presentations given on the day by clicking on the links below:

Welcome by the Leader of Oxford City Council (Cllr John Goddard)

Carbon management in Oxford City Council (Paul Spencer, Oxford City Council)

Lowering your business’ carbon footprint (Tom Cumberlege, Carbon Trust)

Advice and assistance available (Alan Frost, Business Link)

The reality of reducing carbon in business (John Mathias & Peter Couchman, Midcounties Co-op)

Benefits of low carbon business (Gareth Dinnnage, Seacourt)

Energy audits for local business’ (Michael Esvelt, EiE)

Oxford is My World website & pledge (Charlie Morris-Marsham, Oxford City Council)

Q&A / Panel Discussion (Speakers / Audience)

How a Low Carbon Breakfast could lead to a more profitable future!

Oxford City Council, in partnership with The Carbon Trust, is holding a free business breakfast briefing in the Town Hall on Tuesday 4th March 2008 – 8.30-10.30 which will highlight the business benefits of managing carbon and reducing energy use in your business.

With tough environmental legislation, rising energy costs and an increasingly environmentally aware customer-base, the business climate is changing fast. This special event will outline the benefits of reducing the carbon footprint of your business with expert speakers, practical advice and case studies highlighting:

- how you can make a difference to your bottom-line - saving you money and the environment
- free business support available
- the latest information on energy efficiency and renewable energy grants and loans available
- partnership opportunities –working together to reduce carbon emissions across the region

Why should I care about my organisation’s carbon footprint?
· 74 % of people think climate change is a serious problem that we need to tackle now
· 67 % of consumers are more likely to buy a product with a low carbon footprint
· 75% of UK employees would prefer to work for a company with an active carbon reduction policy [Carbon Trust study]

To register for the Low Carbon Breakfast: call Environmental Protection on 01865 252 564 or e-mail: business@oxfordismyworld.com

Oxford City Council Helps Retailers Reduce Plastic Bag Use

Oxford City Council is helping Oxford retailers save money and the environment by offering them cost price cotton bags. The aim is to reduce waste, help to conserve the world’s resources and promote “Oxford is My World: Your Guide to Saving the Planet!”

The bags (cost price 88p including VAT, with a mandatory retail price of £1) are made from ethically traded organic cotton and are printed with the cover of the Guide.

Businesses stocking the bags will be listed in the local press and on council websites and will be given some copies of ‘Oxford is My World’ to give away for free to Oxford residents.

Any business wishing to buy bags should contact the Oxford Tourist Information Centre Manager, Brenda Eden (10 bag minimum). Bags will be available for sale from 3rd December.

Contact:

Brenda Eden

Oxford Tourist Information Centre

15-16 Broad Street

OX1 3AS

01865 252300

beden@oxford.gov.uk

 

Local Biodiesel Producer Offers Free Waste Vegetable Oil Collection Service

Golden Fuels are one of Oxford's longest established company making high quality biodiesel and they are offering to collect caterers' waste vegetable oil for free to make their biodisel. Biodiesel works just like normal diesel fuel but is much greener when made from cooking oil which would otherwise be disposed of.

There is no charge per collection and once they have set up an agreement with a caterer there is no per-can fee. They cover the cost of issuing you with an annual waste transfer ticket, to show you have disposed of the oil correctly, and collect up to five times per week in Oxford alone.

At the time of writing they are already collecting from more than 80 caterers in Oxford.

For more information on Goldenfuels or biodiesel please take a look at their website www.goldenfuels.com or contact them on 01865 423 636.

CBI welcomes amendments to Climate Change Bill

The CBI has praised the Government's amendments to its draft Climate Change Bill, saying it provides a credible framework for businesses to work towards.

"Business urgently needs a credible framework to work towards a low carbon economy, and we believe the Climate Change Bill can provide that, comments Michael Roberts, CBI Director of Business Environment.

"A stronger Climate Change Committee, and asking the Committee to review the case for increasing the 2050 target and including international aviation emissions within the targets, are all sensible steps.

"The use of an interim target and rolling 'carbon budgets' should help to provide the right balance of certainty and flexibility, although the 2020 target continues to look extremely challenging."

Read more on The Climate Change Bill on DEFRA's website.

 

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