Green business service launches in Peckham’s Low Carbon Zone

Southwark Council has contracted Global Action Plan to provide environmental support for a number of businesses within the Peckham Low Carbon Zone (LCZ).

Termed the 'Green Concierge Service', it will not only reduce businesses' environmental impact, but will also help them to achieve cost savings and compliance with environmental legislation.

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council said: "The council is determined to help businesses as well as the environment at every opportunity, and schemes like this achieve both. If a business in Peckham wants to see if there are inefficiencies in any part of its set up - from water to energy to transport - then these free audits are a perfect way to do this."

Alastair Mumford, head of the team delivering this project at Global Action Plan added: "In these turbulent economic times businesses cannot afford to be wasting money unnecessarily. Often, finding out where wastage is occurring can cost money or time in itself but through this funding businesses can gain all of the benefits without the costs.  There are many low or zero-cost initiatives a business can undertake to reduce costs and for those that do require expenditure we can make sure the client is fully aware of the payback period."
 
KMR Audio received support from Global Action Plan.

"KMR is a young business, and we got in touch with Global Action Plan to assess our carbon footprint and to take advice on how to reduce it" says Keith Malin, Director.

"We're pleased to say that every part of the recommendations have been, and are being, implemented. We would urge every business to get in touch with the council and Global Action Plan and take their advice very seriously indeed."

Further information

From July 2010, Southwark Council through Global Action Plan will be visiting businesses in the LCZ to introduce and sign them up to this free scheme. They will carry out energy, water, waste and transport audits for each business and provide expert advice in the form of bespoke reports and action plans. Global Action Plan will provide ongoing 1-2-1 business support to facilitate take-up of these recommendations and a re-audit to quantify the savings achieved. Businesses will be advised of available funding schemes to make the changes and supported in achieving recognition through Southwark's Environmental Business Awards.

In 2009 a Low Carbon Zone was established in an area of Peckham with London Development Agency seed funding (£280,000). The zone was established in the area between Peckham Hill Street, Commercial Way, Friary Road and Peckham High Street and is set to receive significant investment for energy saving measures from energy suppliers, the council and other funders over the next two years.

For more information on the council's energy efficiency measures for businesses, please visit the environmental business support pages.

For more information on this free support service, please contact Global Action Plan via 020 7420 4439 or businesssupportlondon@globalactionplan.org.uk.

Background

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced the ten Low Carbon Zones at the London Congress, a meeting of the Mayor of London and the capital's 33 boroughs at the Guildhall in September 2009.

The Mayor wants to make London a low carbon city, boosting 'green collar' jobs and helping to lower energy bills by becoming more energy efficient. These zones will showcase exactly how London can become a low carbon city by using a wide range of measures to help people cut carbon and by reducing the emissions of some of London's older buildings, which have generally been more difficult to make energy efficient. Visit the website for more information on the low carbon zones.