West of England takes up carbon cutting challenge

Will Bristol Zoo be tackling its animals’ greenhouse gas emissions? That’s what journalists wanted to know as we launched the West of England Carbon Challenge today.

The zoo is one of the nine founder members of the Carbon Challenge who are making a public commitment to cut their CO2 emissions by 10% from current levels by 2012.

Reporters were hoping for a story about action to stop zoo animals’ natural emissions. Methane, after all, is a highly potent greenhouse gas. In practice, the zoo believes it can make the biggest difference by helping its visitors make low-carbon journeys.

Cutting carbon is a serious business for all businesses and public organisations. They know the UK Government has set a target of reducing emissions by 34% by 2020 (from 1990 levels). And from next year, the Carbon Reduction Commitment will require organisations with annual electricity bills of about £500,000 or more to buy permits for the CO2 they produce. It’s probably just the start of ever more stringent regulation in this area.

So forward thinking businesses leaders, who want to remain successful and prosperous are rushing to take action now to become more energy efficient - saving money and carbon.

That's why Forum for the Future is launching the West of England Carbon Challenge today at the Prince of Wales' May Day Network event in Bristol. We believe we are unique in targeting organisations across all sectors in a single region, requiring them to commit to a fixed target for cutting carbon emissions and supporting them with the practical guidance and resources they need to achieve those reductions.

That’s why some of the West of England’s leading organisations have already joined Bristol Zoo in pledging to meet the 10% target - Capgemini, the University of the West of England, the Halcrow Group, Arup, Buro Happold, Sustain IT Solutions, the South West Regional Development Agency and the Homes and Communities Agency (SW Region).

And that's why many more are joining here in Bristol today, and will continue to do so over the coming months.

As Jonathon Porritt said, launching the scheme this morning: "The science is proven, and we can stall no longer. Responsible organisations are showing that they are ready to do their bit to prevent catastrophic climate change."

That’s what the Forum's West of England Carbon Challenge is about - taking action.