Cabe audits its ecological footprint

The review, by sustainability consultancy Best Foot Forward, is more detailed than a carbon audit, and found the watchdog performed badly in terms of business travel and through its publications but better in commuting and water use.

The full findings of the audit will be unveiled at built environment and sustainability conference Think07, to be held in London next week.

Stella Bland, Cabe’s head of communications, said the organisation would respond to the audit with an action plan this summer.

“We were pleased with how sustainable our commuting patterns were,” she said “What came as a surprise was the impact flights have on your overall footprint.”

Half of Cabe’s publications, which overall account for 16% of its overall footprint and 10% of carbon emissions, are printed on virgin paper. Bland announced that by the end of the year all publications would be printed on recycled paper.

“But if you are an influencing organisation you are going to do a lot of communicating,” she added.

Managing director of Best Foot Forward, Nicky Chambers, said Cabe also performed well in terms of direct energy use but that emissions levels were high for use of office materials and waste.

In 2006 Cabe produced 10.6 tonnes of publications and recycled 11 tonnes of paper and cardboard, but sent 9 tonnes of waste to be incinerated.

“They’re a fairly standard office outfit,” Chambers added.

Best Foot Forward’s recommendations to Cabe include using only recycled paper; encouraging users to read documents online; reducing print runs; switching from oil to gas heating; recycling glass, plastic and metal; and using trains and ferries rather than air travel within the UK, Ireland and northern Europe.

Think 07
1-3 May 2007
London’s ExCel Centre
For more details visit www.think07.co.uk