23 June 2008
City of London launches City Climate Pledge
On Monday 23 June, the City of London will launch its City
Climate Pledge. The Pledge is a new initiative, designed to help
companies in the City of London play their part in the global fight
against climate change. The City Climate Pledge will help City
organisations improve their environmental performance and will
encourage them to use their global influence to affect the
behaviour of companies around the UK and the world.
Lord Mayor of the City of London David Lewis says ‘Climate
change is our most serious global challenge and has severe
implications for the world’s social and economic wellbeing. The
City Climate Pledge will help the City show its commitment to
combating climate change and use its global influence to set an
example for the rest of the world to follow. We are very keen for
all City companies to sign up to the Pledge.’
By signing up to the Pledge, organisations will demonstrate
their commitment to tackling the challenge of climate change head
on by:
- Publishing their carbon footprint and reporting on progress
made in reducing their environmental impact
- Measuring and monitoring the carbon footprint arising from
business activities
- Mitigating the amount of carbon produced by enhancing the
efficiency of day-today operations and
- Maximising the effectiveness of any carbon offsetting for any
unavoidable emissions (in accordance with the UK Government Code of
Best Practice).
As well as enabling companies to stand out amongst their
competitors, the Pledge helps organisations establish a starting
point to save energy and reduce waste - one of the easiest ways to
increase profitability.
The City Climate Pledge is being delivered by the City of London
in partnership with BRE, which is acting as core provider of carbon
management advice and support for the Pledge and PURE, the UK’s
leading carbon offset charity.
Robert Rabinowicz, Director of Pure says ‘We are delighted to be
involved in this great initiative by the City. We hope that every
organisation within the square mile will sign up. Collective action
is the only way to achieve the culture shift in industry and
commerce that is necessary to make a demonstrable difference.’
The City Climate Pledge will be launched on the 23 June in the
Guildhall.
For further information contact: Susanna Howard on 020 7332
3450/
susanna.howard@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
City of London
The City of London
provides local government services for the Square Mile, the
financial and commercial heart of Britain. Its responsibilities
extend far beyond the City boundaries in its commitment to
mitigating climate change through supporting responsible business
practices. The website has an online calculator to help
organisations measure their carbon, waste and water footprints. It
is also possible for companies to meet their offsetting
BRE
The BRE Group is a world-leading
research, consultancy, training, testing and certification
organisation, delivering sustainability and innovation across the
built environment and beyond.
Pure
Pure is the UK’s leading carbon
offset charity with the specific objective of improving air quality
and combating climate change. www.puretrust.org.uk