There is a lot of value in working with the Carbon Trust. They delivered what they promised, and were always on hand to help. They kept the momentum up and were very challenging, encouraging us to do things faster and to a greater extent than we otherwise would have.
Neil Herbert, Head of Licensing and Business Improvement, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The business case
Driven by a desire to cut costs and prepare for the burgeoning amounts of environmental legislation, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) joined the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Management service for local authorities in 2008. The result is a detailed plan that sets an aspiration for the Council to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2014 – from a 2007/2008 baseline of 24,000 tonnes.
Determined to influence local business and the community and lead by example, RBKC’s ambitious carbon management plan sets out how it will hit its target and save between £1.5 and £2.5m per year on energy bills from 2014.
The approach
Much work has focused on Kensington Town Hall, where there has been £16.5 million refurbishment of the mechanical and electrical system, while a combined heat and power system has been installed at Chelsea Leisure Centre. There has also been a survey on schools, looking at the cost and feasibility of improving the insulation. And, elsewhere, improvements to the lighting include adding motion sensors to street lighting and reducing the 70 watt bulbs with longer lasting 60 watt equivalents. Underpinning all this work has been a sustained energy staff awareness campaign, rolled out to more than 4,000 employees.
Recognition of carbon reduction
In recognition of the work the Council has done to measure and reduce its emissions, it was awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in 2009.
RBKC is the most densely populated local authority in the UK. The borough is 12 square miles in size and home to about 180,000 people. With 37 schools, five university campuses, over 50 embassies and some of London’s most exclusive shops, offices and residential property, RBKC is a vital hub of activity and commerce.
Savings at a glance
- Baseline CO2 emissions: 24,000 tonnes
- Target carbon reduction (by 2014): 40%
- Target cost savings (by 2014): £1.5 million a year
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