From Guest Blogger Dmitris Papadoupolus: Four Firms with Great Green Energy Credentials
UK and international legislation on energy efficiency means every firm has to comply with appropriate laws.
And there are always organisations that do the bare minimum required to satisfy regulators. But several companies operate at the vanguard of green energy and rightly take pride in their eco-conscious offerings.
With that in mind, here are four firms with great green energy credentials.
Arup
Global professional services firm Arup has teamed up with Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and Tata Motors to launch the UK’s largest autonomous vehicle road trials.
The vehicles feature connectivity systems that enhance road safety — like signals sent directly from emergency vehicles and intersection collision warnings.
But the technology also displays the optimal speed for approaching traffic lights, reducing the number of red light stops and vehicle emissions from idling.
Arup is also committed to increasing energy efficiency through large-scale town planning and infrastructure projects, so this latest collaboration further enhances its green credentials.
H&M
Clothing giant H&M has a passion for sustainable fashion that’s evident throughout its operation.
Sustainably-sourced cotton now accounts for 43 per cent of its total cotton use and the aim is 100 per cent sustainability by 2020.
The firms vets the factories it uses in terms of workers’ pay and conditions and clothing collections feature ‘Bionic’ polyester made from recycles plastics recovered from ocean shorelines.
If more high street fashion brands follow H&M’s lead, more of the clothing we wear will be ethically sourced and environmentally friendly.
Penmann
Food industry cooling experts Penmann design bespoke ventilation, climactic and cooling systems that help their clients reduce their energy costs AND their carbon footprints.
Improved process cooling can effectively control heat and moisture levels to increase production efficiency, while specialist air conditioning reduces humidity and tailored ventilation reduces problem condensation.
Combining all of these factors enables an entire operation to reduce its carbon footprint and redirect heat that was previously wasted back into internal processes.
Food’s a huge sector, so if the industry’s green credentials are in-built in the production process it’s a massive step towards improving the entire supply chain.
B&Q
DIY is still big business in Britain and B&Q has been striving to improve its sustainability record for several years.
The firm has sourced timber responsibly for some time — being a founding member of the Forest Stewardship Council since 1991.
It’s won awards for innovative green pallet scheme that sources and supplies recycled pallets in a variety of sizes, dramatically reducing deforestation as much less new wood has to be cut down.
And it’s been recognised as Britain’s greenest garden centre for the past two years at the Garden Retail & Garden Industry Awards.
The retailer sets a great example for a large firm willing to make exceptional efforts to go green.
These four firms with great green energy credentials prove that it’s possible to turn a profit and protect the planet.
What’s your favourite green company? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
