North West businesses back ‘green perks’ scheme
EMPLOYEES across the North West are being offered cut-price energy-saving products in a pioneering new scheme which teams ‘green perks’ for staff with donations to regional environmental projects.
Leading companies across the region are backing the innovative scheme which hopes to raise thousands of pounds to improve the local environment and save at least 2,000 tonnes of carbon each year.
Brother UK, 20:20 mobile, Northern Foods and Pannone LLP are among firms promoting the programme which donates cash to green projects every time employees take steps to reduce their own carbon footprints.
Staff at participating companies can generate funds by signing up for free home energy surveys or by purchasing discounted green products such as loft insulation and energy efficient boilers.
The money raised will go to Foundation – a new North West climate fund, which supports community-led carbon reduction projects across the region such as solar and wind power schemes and green credit unions.
Jayne Broddle, corporate and social responsibility director for Brother UK, said: “This is a really imaginative way of supporting green projects in the region, while helping employees to reduce their own carbon footprints and cut their household energy bills.
“We’ve already had a very enthusiastic response from our staff, and expect to see the programme help scores of community projects flourish across the region.”
Foundation is working with the award-winning heating and renewable energy specialist Home Insulation Services (HIS) Group to deliver the programme.
HIS donates a minimum of £1 to Foundation every time an employee from a participating company signs up for a home energy survey or product.
The green perks scheme aims to save more than 2,000 tonnes of carbon per year, involve more than 120,000 employees and save around £500,000 per year in reduced bills for those who take part.
Mark Turner, Foundation’s chief officer, said: “We’re delighted that this initiative has already generated so much support among businesses and we look forward to many more companies taking advantage of its unique benefits.
“The money raised will be invested in long-term projects which reduce carbon emissions and improve people’s quality of life.
“We are already supporting a vast range of schemes in the North West – from renewable energy schemes to green credit unions – and this programme will help us to get even more vital projects off the ground.”
Since launching in April 2009, Foundation has supported 15 carbon-saving projects across the North West, invested £381,000, and is on target to save 5,767 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of heating over 1600 homes for a year or powering Blackpool illuminations for 25 years.
