Exactly a year ago in November 2021, ARV Solutions started improvements to our office in response to the climate crisis. We had two electric vehicle charging points installed in our car park to accommodate and encourage the use of hybrid and electric vehicles. The following summer we had our gas central heating replaced with an air-source heat pump. The heating and cooling system was very welcomed by the whole team during this year’s heatwave! Next, we had our old florescent tube lighting replaced with led panels, that not only have a much longer lifespan but also provide a less harsh working environment, letting off a softer day-like light (as seen in the picture above). Our most recent installation was solar photovoltaic panels which were installed on the roof of our building and generates renewable energy for our office. The next phase of our improvement plan is the removal of our gas boiler and the installation of electric water heating.
Our previous average energy consumption was 47,689 kWh per year. Since having our upgrades our approx. annual consumption savings are:
- Solar Photovoltaics 9220 kWh (62% reduction)
- Air-to-air heat pump 21,730 kWh (46% reduction)
- LED lighting 3,264 kWh (22% reduction)
Improvements to our building have resulted in approx. greenhouse gas savings 12.3 tCo2e (over 1 year). We are hoping to share graphics over the next couple of weeks to understand our greenhouse savings better.
We all have a role to play in reducing our direct carbon emissions, and like many organisations, ARV Solutions are acting by setting science-based targets (STBs) to lower our impact on carbon pollution. Forward-thinking as a company is not only an investment but also prepares us for future legislation. The process started just under a year ago after completing an online survey and telephone meeting with the West of England Combined Authority. We then received grant funding from the Green Business Grant scheme to implement the improvements discussed.
The built environment sector in the UK is responsible for around 40% of our total emissions. As we are recruiters primarily for the offsite industry, we have a role to play in being accountable for the industry’s impact on carbon pollution. As an industry, we need to be inspired to take action and think big locally and collectively to start setting SBTs so we can move forward in a low-carbon society.
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference began on Sunday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and Governments around the world are meeting to discuss the current climate crisis and how they are setting national carbon reduction plans. Back in 2019, the UK Government responded to the climate emergency with the amendment of the Climate Change Act 2008, setting a target that the country must be net zero for carbon emissions by 2050.
Head over to the gov.uk website for more information on the UK Government Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener
