Commonwealth Secretariat – Energy management
Client name: Commonwealth Secretariat
Sector: Intergovernmental Organisation
Project: Environmental Audit
When: Autumn 2010
Summary
As an intergovernmental organisation, the Commonwealth Secretariat works as a trusted partner for all Commonwealth people as a force for peace, democracy, equality, and good governance and a source of assistance for sustainable development and poverty eradication. In recognition of the impact of its operations on the environment and to honour its own commitment to integrating environmental best practice into all its business operation, the Secretariat commissioned Carbon Smart to develop an internal environmental strategy.
Client’s objectives
• Obtain a breakdown of key areas responsible for carbon emissions
• Improve the measurement and management of environmental information
• Develop an environmental and energy reduction plan, creating a best in class carbon management programme
• Introduce sustainability into the procurement process
Process
The headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat is a grade I listed building, status which limits approaches taken to energy reduction. Therefore, the main challenge of the project was to deliver an innovative environmental plan compatible with the requirements of the organisation and its premises. Carbon Smart developed a bespoke four step approach:
• One of our specialists in energy waste minimisation performed a site visit to identify target areas for improving energy efficiency.
• Key environmental impact areas were identified and presented as part of the Secretariat’s carbon footprint.
• A recommendations report and action plan for carbon and energy reduction were developed.
• A series of interactive workshops were organised with the aim of incorporating sustainability into the organisation’s operations and management. One workshop focused on how to communicate the organisation’s environmental principles through a robust environmental policy. A second workshop introduced a set of procurement tools to be used as part of a sustainable procurement strategy.
Success
The Commonwealth Secretariat achieved the Carbon Smart Blue Award in February 2011. Following a recommendations report submitted by Carbon Smart, the Secretariat committed to reduce its energy consumption by 10% and paper consumption by 20% in 2011.