Green500

Climate change and energy use is a real issue for all organisations, no matter what size or sector.

The increasing cost of energy and tightening environmental legislation will affect your bottom line. But consumers are also becoming more concerned about climate change, to the point where buying decisions are being made on the basis of a manufacturer’s or provider’s approach to energy efficiency and carbon emissions.

The Green500 scheme aims to help London based businesses – or businesses that trade in London – address this challenge by uniting, encouraging, nurturing, acknowledging and celebrating organisations in London that commit to better green practices.

It does this by providing your business with a tailored and seamless end-to-end carbon management service that provides specialist advice on reducing carbon emissions.

Join London’s leading green businesses

For more information on how to join this growing community of London businesses, visit the Green500 website.

Green500 scheme aims:

• Delivering a 1.5million tonne reduction in carbon emissions from London’s commercial and public sector organisations by 2010, and together with our Better Buildings Partnership, a reduction of 35million tonnes by 2025.

• Bringing together the top 500 big businesses and organisations, all working to reduce London’s carbon emissions.

• By achieving the above, to reinforce London’s reputation as a global city leading the way in tackling climate change.

What’s involved?

Green500 consists of a carbon management service and a performance based awards scheme, for large organisations across private and public sectors.

Each member organisation will be assigned a Carbon Mentor who will design a unique, holistic, carbon management plan and as part of this plan set an annual carbon reduction target with you.

The Carbon Mentor will be on hand to offer practical advice and source reliable suppliers on issues such as improving energy efficiency, water usage, waste management and transport plans.

The achievements of the Green500 organisations will then be acknowledged in the form of an annual Green500 Award which recognises member organisations that have achieved their targets, with additional awards for; best in class, a combined landlord and tenant award and so on.

The Mayor of London will publicly give these awards – which we intend will become the gold-standard for recognition of excellence – and the results published.

The whole scheme costs just £3500 to join, with an annual renewal fee of £500 thereafter.

What will it do for my business?

As well as the environmental benefits, recognition among peers and positive PR, going green can help you increase profits, and push you ahead of the competition. A 20% cut in energy costs represents the same bottom line benefit as a 5% increase in sales in many businesses.

Is my business eligible?

The Green500 is focussed on organisations that have significant numbers of employees and occupy a large floor area. Typically organisations with over 1000 employees and 10,000 m2 of floor space will be eligible.