Business News
Ricoh UK – Carbon trust standard certifies action on climate change
Tuesday 09. June 2009 - Ricoh UK has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after taking action on climate change by measuring and reducing its carbon footprint by 22 per cent.
The Carbon Trust Standard is the worlds first carbon award that requires an organisation to measure, manage and reduce its carbon footprint and actually make real reductions year-on-year. Unlike other award schemes, organisations are rewarded for actions theyve taken to cut carbon across their own operations.
David Mills, chief executive of Ricoh UK says, “Were delighted to have achieved the Carbon Trust Standard. Ricoh has been working to reduce the carbon emissions of its products throughout their whole journey – from manufacture, working life on customer premises, and refurbishment or recycle for more than thirty years. The Carbon Trust Standard is a great way of showing that we have taken measurable action to combat climate change and to evidence our environmental credentials.
“In the current climate its essential that we remain competitive, and initiatives that reduce carbon emissions can help a business to lower costs – energy, raw materials, transportation – at a time when businesses are looking for financial savings. The Carbon Trust Standard is a way that we can show our leadership in reducing carbon.”
Changes Ricoh has made to reduce its carbon emissions include selecting low power machines for its UK manufacturing facility in Telford and removing conveyor belts for moving devices around the plant – replacing them with trolleys that are moved by employees. Ricoh UK has also been proactive in helping its customers to achieve ISO 14001; 2004 accreditation.
Harry Morrison, General Manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, commented: “Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof an organisation has taken genuine action to reduce their direct impact on climate change by cutting carbon emissions. We congratulate Ricoh UK on this achievement.
“Both businesses and consumers share a desire for one, credible way to prove an organisation has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting. The Carbon Trust Standard provides this credibility and we encourage more organisations to follow Ricoh UK in making this commitment.”
The Carbon Trust Standard was launched in June 2008 with the support of Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and Dragons Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden. Deborah Meaden said: “I passionately believe that success in business and positive action on the environment can go hand in hand and deliver real bottom line benefits. The Carbon Trust Standard is about showing which organisations have really taken practical action on climate change – it cuts through greenwash and celebrates those businesses making genuine reductions in their carbon emissions.
“Tackling environmental issues has to be seen as both a business priority and opportunity and achieving the Carbon Trust Standard is a great way of recognising truly progressive organisations.”