Latest news

FREE ENERGY AWARENESS WORKSHOP FOR CORNISH BUSINESSES

Following the recent success of Truro Library’s first energy awareness workshops for local businesses, a second half day session is being held to enable more local companies to learn how to reduce their energy bills on 6^th September.

The workshop will be led by Andy McKenzie of Low Carbon Futures, the Cornwall-based environmental business specialists, and will help delegates understand how to read, analyse and interpret utility billing data and use the information to implement energy savings across their company’s operations.

All businesses, regardless of sector or activity, could benefit from the session which will take place in the conference room at Truro Community Library Building between 10am and 2pm, including lunch, on Monday 6^th September.

Andy McKenzie, Environmental Consultant at Low Carbon Futures said:  “Being proactive and interrogating energy use and then acting on the information to become more energy efficient is a simple way for businesses to reduce their operating costs and their carbon footprint.   Many of the businesses we work with are surprised by the savings they can make simply by using energy more intelligently and this seminar provides a fantastic introduction to energy management and will inspire businesses to act now to start saving energy and money.”

Truro Community Library is supporting and funding this event through the National Lottery ‘Big Lottery Fund’ Community Libraries programme. 

Ian Banks, Community Engagement Officer at Truro Community Library said: “We were delighted to see such a broad range of local businesses at our first workshop and the positive feedback indicated that delegates got real value from learning how some simple energy monitoring and behavioural change can add up to make a big difference to reducing their energy use.  We’re delighted to be working with Low Carbon Futures to provide another opportunity for more local businesses to learn how to use energy more sustainably.”

Early booking is recommended as places are limited.  For further information or to book a place contact Andy McKenzie on 01209) 614979 / 07976 490949 or andy@lowcarbonfutures.com

Cornwall Sustainability Awards Open for 2010

Is your business working to minimise negative impacts on the environment whilst maximising benefits to society? 

If so, you could be a winner.

The organisers are keen to attract entries from businesses large and small and from all sectors.  There are six categories to enter; Best Managed Company (small, medium and large), Products and Services, Low Carbon Business, Resource Management, Best Individual, and Sustainable Construction; an overall winner is chosen from these.  Past winners include, St Austell Brewery, Jaspers abattoir, Leap - design for change, Ginsters, Sharps Brewery, Earth Energy, the Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Stralfors printing and many more.

The deadline for entries is 24^th September, winners will be announced an awards ceremony taking place on 3rd December at The Pavilion Centre, Royal Cornwall Showground.  The event will be free and include a buffet lunch.    

For more information, including detailed guidance to applicants, take a look at the website at www.cornwallsustainabilityawards.org

A one-day foundation level course in general environmental issues

11 Febuary 2010

Many organisations have identified that tackling environmental issues can bring benefits to their business including reduced waste and utility costs, reduced liabilities and access to new markets and investors. This qualification has been designed for all members of staff whose activities could have a significant impact on the environment, or supervisors or managers who are being introduced to environmental issues for the first time.

The qualification covers the following topics:

• Environmental impacts and sustainability
• Understanding environmental
• Principles of environmental law
• Energy use and carbon management
• Resource efficiency and waste minimisation
• Water management
• Pollution prevention and emergency planning
• Environmental management systems

Cornish businesses encouraged to 'Get Smart and Save'

10 Febuary 2010

The ‘Get Smart and Save’ service offers businesses the ability to gain a greater understanding of how they currently use energy and receive advice on what they can do to reduce their electricity and gas consumption and get the most competitive tariffs.

Business Link development vouchers are available for high growth-oriented Small and Medium Sized businesses (SMEs) in Cornwall to take advantage of up to 75 per cent discount on on Low Carbon Future’s full energy management service .

The ‘Get Smart and Save’ service offers businesses a choice of three levels of service.  All packages include the installation of a smart meter to provide real-time information on energy use and costs in addition to quarterly summary reports.  Intermediate support packages include energy saving analysis reports and additional support to help implement energy saving measures, while advanced packages also offer in-house training and a detailed energy audit where Low Carbon Futures’ energy experts compare consumption patterns with the activities being carried out within the business to identify where energy is being used unnecessarily or can be reduced through behavioural change, or by switching to more energy efficient technology.

The potential savings offered by installing a smart meter are impressive. Trials published by the Carbon Trust in 2007 calculated that SME’s saved an average of £1,000 a year on their electricity bills when combining a smart meter with an energy saving programme.  

Ken Shaw, Managing Director of Low Carbon Futures, said:  “Being proactive and interrogating energy use and then acting on the information to become more energy efficient is a simple way for businesses to reduce their operating costs and their carbon footprint.  Smart meters provide an invaluable insight into what lies behind the bottom line of an electricity bill and we’re looking forward to helping businesses to take control of their energy use.”

For more information about Energy Management Services call Low Carbon Futures on 01209 614 979 or visit www.lowcarbonfutures.com

Company launched to help  go green and save money

3 December 2009

Businesses in Cornwall will be able to enjoy easy access to an extensive range of services and products to improve their energy efficiency and reduce operating costs following the launch of a ‘one-stop-shop’ for environmental business solutions.

Low Carbon Futures is the subsidiary trading arm of Community Energy Plus, Cornwall’s award winning sustainable energy charity that has been promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as working to reduce fuel poverty, for more than 10 years.

 Combining the expertise of carbon reduction and renewable energy professionals working within the charity with a carefully selected group of environmental consultants and technology suppliers, Low Carbon Futures will offer local businesses a comprehensive range of services and products to help them use resources more efficiently and reduce their carbon footprint. 

 Joining the Low Carbon Futures team and invited guests at the launch on Thursday (December 3, 2009) was television presenter and eco-champion Dick Strawbridge.  Speaking at the launch he said: “Times are tough for business and working with Low Carbon Futures gives companies a real opportunity to tackle the money they’re wasting on energy bills.  Those savings can make the difference between surviving and going under during the current economic climate.”

Ken Shaw, Managing Director of Low Carbon Futures explained:  “Many businesses have a desire to reduce their carbon footprint and save money by becoming more resource efficient but getting to grips with which options are right for their specific circumstances can be confusing.  Low Carbon Futures has been created to offer a one-stop-shop for environmental business solutions and we look forward to playing an important role in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of Cornwall while enabling local businesses to become more profitable.”

Through a strategic network of suppliers, Low Carbon Futures can offer a range of energy efficient products which can typically reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent; helping businesses to reduce their carbon footprint while making significant cost savings.

High growth-oriented small and medium sized businesses in Cornwall can be eligible to receive help with up to 75 per cent of the costs of Low Carbon Futures energy management support through Business Link. 

Martin Woods, Business Link’s Convergence Environmental Team Leader said:  “There’s a very strong financial as well as environmental case for businesses to become more resource efficient and as Cornwall’s business advisory service we’re keen to make sure that local companies are able to access the best advice and products to help their businesses prosper. We look forward to working with Low Carbon Futures to help local companies adopt more carbon-efficient ‘greener’ practices and save money in the process.” 

From low cost options such as low energy lighting and insulation through to intelligent technology to make heating systems more efficient as well as energy generation devices, Low Carbon Futures will guide businesses through the process of becoming greener and saving money. 

Low Carbon Futures offers a diverse range of carbon and cost cutting services including energy audits, commercial energy performance certificates, environmental management programmes and can also provide mentoring for businesses to manage their environmental impact - evidence of which is increasingly being requested for supply chain management and contract tenders.

Rising energy and waste prices are an issue that every business will have become increasingly aware of in the last five years and with predictions by the energy regulator Ofgem that energy prices could surge by more than 60 per cent by 2016, there’s never been a better time for businesses to look at ways of reducing their energy consumption.

A local business that has already seen the financial benefits of using Low Carbon Future’s services is the South West based insurance company Cornish Mutual.  After installing a Smart Meter on the recommendation of Low Carbon Futures the business was able to analyse energy consumption data which showed excessive electricity usage over the weekend while its head office was closed.  Some simple adjustments to their heating controls enabled the company to save 25 percent on their weekend energy consumption.

Alan Goddard, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual said: “The data provided by the Smart Meter has enabled us to make significant savings on our energy consumption and really demonstrates how easy it can be to take some simple steps to improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.”

For more information about Low Carbon Futures visit www.lowcarbonfutures.com or call 01209 614979.

Free Seminar on Understanding Business Risk from Oil and Energy Price Rises

2 December 2009

On Wednesday 10th February CoaST (in partnership with Business Link and Transition Training and Consulting) is holding a free seminar for businesses in Cornwall on 'Understanding business risk from oil and energy price rises'.

Soaring energy prices and power cuts are inevitable, perhaps even this coming winter.  This seminar explains how to recognise the threats to your operation(s) and assess the real risks to your organisation.

For more information and to book a place contact Katy Teare on 01209 614 972.