We were chuffed to hear we have been awarded a Gold standard as part of a sustainability audit carried out by Sustaining Change – a project of Environmental Charity: MERCi.
It was based on our work to minimise our environmental impact and the progress we have made since our initial audit in February 2010. Since then we have strengthened our Sustainability Policy, reduced our carbon foot print and begun to monitor our actions under the audits eight areas (Food and Drink; Purchasing and Procurement; Energy and Water; Travel; Buildings and Local Neighbourhood; Inclusion and Participation; Partnership and Promotion; and Waste.)
For example, since last year we have reduced our food packaging waste, reduced our electricity and paper consumption and been supporting our landlord's work to install solar PV panels on our building.
The support from Sustaining Change has also inspired us to look at our own personal carbon footprints, utilising the carbon calculator developed by Resurgence magazine.
We spend a lot of time looking at different carbon calculators and have found the Resurgence one the most honest and detailed. It includes the obvious like car journeys, flights etc., but also takes into account your income, spending habits as well as your diet. As a result it offers a more honest assessment of your impact on the climate and as a result has come first in an independent survey of carbon calculators on-line.
We've been having a little competition to see which of us (Helen, Matt or Chris) has the lowest carbon footprint. We each are responsible for around 2 tonnes a year - not bad considering the national average is 10 tonnes! With Helen having a slightly lower footprint than Matt or Chris because of her vegan diet (despite all the train journeys she makes).
Visit the Carbon Calculator at: http://www.resurgence.org/education/carbon-calculator.html
For more information about MERCi & Sustaining Change please visit: http://www.merci.org.uk/drupal/sustainingchange
If your organisation is interested in participating in the Sustaining Change audit contact Claire at MERCi on 0161 273 1736.