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Hestia delivers managed services and technical solutions for the public sector, providing information and reference points for our clients to stimulate fresh dialogue and action on energy efficiency and climate change.
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Energy Saving Trust advice centre wins awards from Prince Charles Charity
A tailor made project which is helping hundreds of staff across Shrewsbury/ Solihull/ Lichfield save money on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions has netted two top awards for the Energy Saving Trust West Midlands advice centre and the Environment Agency.
June 2010 - The organisations have won the Low Carbon Employee Engagement Award and the Best Transferable Business Practice Award in the annual Low Carbon Economy Awards, which are organised by Business in the Community.
The charity, whose president is the Prince of Wales, works with businesses worldwide to build a sustainable future for the planet.
And although the Energy Saving Trust and Environment Agency knew they were to be awarded the Employee Engagement award the second, chosen from all winning entries, came as a complete surprise on the night.
The Environment Agency appointed the impartial Energy Saving Trust to help it practise what it preaches and carry out a comprehensive programme aimed at encouraging staff to reduce many areas of energy waste at home and at work.
Staff in Lichfield and sister sites in Shrewsbury and Solihull took part in a number of activities aimed at raising awareness of how they could reduce their carbon footprints.
Events included taking part in smarter driving sessions which help drivers reduce their fuel consumption by around 15% or £250 a year (based on 12,000 miles a year).
The work also saw the Energy Saving Trust host a number of roadshows at the Environment Agency's three sites which looked at home energy efficiency, insulation, renewable electricity and heat generation and greener travel options.
The Trust offered 50 home energy doctor visits and provided staff with 100 real time display monitors so they could track how much energy was being wasted by individual appliances.
Key messages included the fact that loft and cavity wall insulation should top everyone's to do list as an extremely cost effective way of slashing fuel bills and energy waste.
The programme also threw up alternative transport suggestions following an in-depth transport audit. Staff were advised to walk or cycle for short journeys as the first five miles of every journey use more fuel when the engine is cold.
Other suggestions included car sharing, using public transport, signing up to a cycle to work scheme which sees employees able to buy tax free bikes, working from home and adopting smarter driving techniques.
Environment Agency regional environment management adviser Lynda Guest said: "We are delighted to have been part of this award-winning scheme, which is all about raising awareness. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today and, at the Environment Agency, we are continually seeking ways to improve our environmental performance. Staff found the driving sessions, in particular, very useful saying that it made them think about their driving style and make improvements."
