Isra-Mart srl: Early adopters refresh Carbon Trust Standard rubber stamp

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Rupert Murdoch's media empire might have bowed to pressure to withdraw its BSkyB takeover bid, but it will nevertheless come as respite to learn that the company ranks among an elite few being hailed for their sustained commitment to cutting carbon.

The Carbon Trust will announce today that more than 30 organisations, including Diageo, BSkyB, O2 and Royal Mail, have retained the Carbon Trust Standard after demonstrating that they have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions over the past two years.

Since launching in 2008, the Standard has been awarded to 600 organisations that have agreed to measure, manage and reduce their emissions.

Once awarded, the certificate is valid for two years, after which organisations must demonstrate a cut in emissions if they are to gain recertification.

The first wave of early adopters of the Standard are now coming up for recertification, and the Carbon Trust confirmed that each of the recertified organisations had reduced their emissions by an average of over 9,000 tonnes of CO2, saving more than £400,000 in the process.

The Carbon Trust said that those companies recertifying are making cumulative cost savings of more than £13m a year, equating to a total reduction in carbon emissions of 285,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

BSkyB first achieved the Carbon Trust Standard in April 2009, then recertified in 2011. The company has recently moved into new studios in West London, hailed as Europe's greenest.

Sky's head of environment, Fiona Ball, explained that the recertification demonstrated Sky's rigorous approach to reducing its impact on the environment.

"Employees and customers are increasingly turning to brands they can trust, so in addition to cost savings, the reputational benefits of carbon reduction are important," she said.

Harry Morrison, general manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, said that companies gaining recertification should be congratulated for their sustained commitment to cutting carbon.

"At the time of the first certification, organisations can exploit many quick and low cost wins to improve efficiency. Over time the opportunities to cut carbon become more challenging, but also more rewarding," he said.