Carbon off - 100 days of carbon clean up

CIBSE, with support from the Carbon Trust, is spearheading a drive to encourage businesses to have a go at reducing their buildings' carbon emissions over a 100-day period starting on 5 June.

We want companies to sign up to the 100 days campaign with the aim of doing something during those 100 days to cut their buildings' carbon emissions.

Reducing your building's carbon emissions needn't be a costly exercise; initiatives can be carried out on all levels, so organisations of every type, size and budget can benefit.

Saving carbon in your building

There are three areas where carbon savings can be made in a building; behavioural change, operational improvements and investment in new technology. The 100 days campaign tackles cutting carbon emissions in all of these key areas.

When you sign up to join the campaign, you will receive a ‘How to' guide containing ideas of all sorts of carbon-saving initiatives specially designed to help you make a real difference.

Behavioural change is fundamental to improving building performance. Requiring the active engagement of staff, this can include simple actions such as switching off lights and computers and can have a measurable impact on building carbon emissions.

Operational improvements are management level measures which can include ensuring heating or ventilation systems operate to meet demand, but switch off when not required. Neither operational nor behavioural changes need require capital outlay, simply the time and commitment of the building users and operators.

The final category of measures involves investment in new technology and modifications to the building or better design. They need to be prioritised to ensure the measures with the shortest paybacks are implemented first. Measures may include new lighting and control systems, heating controls, new flat computer screens, solar shading, insulation and many other simple solutions.

How to participate in the campaign

In signing up to participate in the campaign, you are signing up to a focused 100 days of carbon clean-up. During this time, it is hoped that you will do something to cut the carbon that your building emits.

As outlined above, this activity could be on any level, from instigating behavioural change through to changing your premises or equipment in some way. Anything that has an impact on your energy bill will be considered as saving carbon.

At the end of the 100 days, there will be an awards event to recognise those who have been successful in saving carbon.

Who can get involved?

Whatever your organisation, CIBSE will be there to help with advice on a range of possible activities.

We would like to see everyone, from shops and offices to theatres and museums have a go and see what can be achieved.

What counts as a carbon saving for the 100 days?

Basically anything which impacts on your building's energy bill will count, therefore 100 days activity could focus on getting your staff to print out fewer emails, turn lights off, turn computer monitors off, and open windows rather than using air-conditioning.

How CIBSE will help you to make carbon savings

On joining the 100 days of carbon clean-up campaign, you will receive a comprehensive action pack which will help you to reduce your company's carbon emissions.

The pack includes a free publication which will help you to measure how much carbon your building currently emits. This publication, known as TM22: Energy Assessment and Reporting Methodology, will enable you to put a figure on your savings of both carbon and money in just a three-month period, which will help you persuade your board of the value of participation.

Additional information provided includes PowerPoint presentations, posters and other visual aids to help you gain the involvement and commitment of your colleagues and staff. Presentation material will detail why carbon saving is important and how staff can participate in making carbon savings.